[Provisional Translation]

On Monday, October 24, commencing at 6:00 p.m. for around 30 minutes, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a meeting with H.E. Mr. Christian Wulff, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, who is visiting Japan, at the Prime Minister's Office. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
Following the meeting, commencing at 6:30 p.m. for around an hour and 45 minutes, a banquet was hosted by Prime Minister Noda.

1. Opening:
   Prime Minister Noda welcomed President Wulff's visit to Japan, a highlight of the 150-Year Friendship between Japan and Germany, and expressed his gratitude for the visit President Wulff will make to the disaster-affected region (Iwaki City) on October 25. Prime Minister Noda also said Japan is open for business, for students studying abroad and for tourism, and that he hoped many German people would visit Japan. The importance of exchanges between young people from Japan and Germany has been confirmed by His Imperial Highness the Crown Prince of Japan and President Wulff, who are the honorary presidents of the 150 Year Friendship between Japan and Germany, and Prime Minister Noda expressed expectation that such exchanges would increase.
   
   President Wulff said that German people could learn from Japan's national character and cooperative attitude. He noted that there are many areas in which Japan and Germany share the same opinions, for example, on the United Nations, the Afghanistan issue, the global economy, currency issues, the issue of national debt, and energy policies. President Wulff said that through cooperation they will be able to solve global problems and that he hopes Prime Minister Noda will visit Germany soon.
   
   
2. The Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and the European economy:
   Prime Minister Noda said Greece's problems must be prevented from spreading, and cited the importance of a comprehensive agreement to be reached at the European Council meeting on October 26, and he expressed anticipation toward Germany's leadership.
   
   President Wulff said there should be deeper dialogue between Japan and the EU in order to make progress in free trade between Japan and the EU. In response, Prime Minister Noda said he hopes to lift free trade between Japan and the EU to a high level and wants to move forward with the Japan-EU EPA. He said that he too will exercise leadership and that he hoped to gain the understanding and support of President Wulff. (In a speech at the banquet, President Wulff said the Japan-EU EPA would bring Japan and Germany closer together.)
   
   
3. Responding to the nuclear power plant accident:
   Prime Minister Noda said that Japan is working towards a cold shutdown of the reactors by the end of the year. He said Japan wants to contribute and share the lessons and experiences of the accident with the international community. He said Japan will strive to provide prompt and accurate information on the nuclear power plant situation and the safety of foodstuffs, and asked that the EU's import restrictions be based on the latest and objective data.
   
   In reply, President Wulff acknowledged Prime Minister Noda's position on the promotion of free trade, and noted that economic officials were also present at today's meeting and that he wanted to continue with the dialogue in the future.
   
   
4. The Afghanistan issue:
   President Wulff said that in considering Afghanistan's future following the transition of responsibility for security by 2014, the Bonn Conference in December would be important.
   
   Prime Minister Noda said the reconciliation and reintegration process should not be set back, and acknowledged the importance of the conference identified by President Wulff. Prime Minister Noda said Japan plans to provide around $5 billion in support over a five-year period.
   
   
5. Banquet:
   The banquet brought together people from various quarters (59 people in total), and took place within a friendly atmosphere. In his welcoming speech Prime Minister Noda said he hoped that the bonds between the two countries that have been forged up to now will also be carried on solidly by the young people who will lead the next generation. In response, President Wulff gave a speech in which he indicated that the two countries should cooperate on all sectors, including economics and science.

 

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