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16th Japan-EU Summit Tuesday, June 5, 2007 JAPANESE

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Prime Minister Shinzo Abe left for Berlin, the capital of the Federal Republic of Germany, on the government plane from Haneda Airport on June 5 to attend the 16th Japan-EU Summit and the 33rd G8 Summit Meetings, arriving at his destination that afternoon (Japan time: night of the same day). Prime Minister Abe was welcomed by Dr. Angela Merkel, the Federal Chancellor of Germany, and the two leaders held a meeting. At the meeting, the two leaders expressed their expectations for further enhancement of Japan-Germany economic relations, supported by economic growth through innovation and reform. The leaders also discussed issues such as the United Nations Security Council reform and international situations. Furthermore, it was agreed that Chancellor Merkel would visit Japan in the summer of 2007. Prime Minister Abe and Chancellor Merkel then received recommendations from members of the Japan-EU Business Dialogue Round Table, which is composed of major business figures from Japan and the European Union (EU). Afterwards, Prime Minister Abe attended the 16th Japan-EU Summit together with Chancellor Merkel of Germany, which also holds the EU presidency, and Mr. Jose Manuel Barroso, the President of the European Commission. At the meeting, Prime Minister Abe proposed the strategy entitled "Cool Earth 50," which presents the goal of halving global greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. In response, Chancellor Merkel commented that the EU welcomed and highly evaluated Japan's new proposal. The leaders at the meeting agreed to strengthen Japan-EU cooperation to give a drive to building an effective post-2012 international framework that ensures the participation of the major countries. They also agreed to reduce the emissions by half or more by 2050. The North Korean nuclear and abduction issues were also discussed at the meeting, and the leaders confirmed that Japan and the EU share the same position for resolving the issues and the both side will continue cooperation toward the resolution. Afterwards, Prime Minister Abe held a joint press conference with Chancellor Merkel and President Barroso. Related links: Japan-US and Japan-France Summit Meetings / First Day of the G8 Summit Second Day of the G8 Summit / Japan-Russia Summit Meeting Third Day of the G8 Summit / Japan-China Summit Meeting Press Conference by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe Following his visit to Germany for the G8 Summit Meeting in Heiligendamm