On Monday, February 20, commencing at 4 p.m. for around 30 minutes, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda held a meeting at the Prime Minister's Office with H.E. Mr. Andrius Kubilius, Prime Minister of the Republic of Lithuania, who is visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.

1. Introduction
   At the start, Prime Minister Noda welcomed Prime Minister Kubilius' first visit to Japan, and said that the people of Japan have a warm feeling toward the country of Lithuania due to the activities of the late Mr. Chiune Sugihara. In response, Prime Minister Kubilius said that he feels a sense of closeness to Japan despite the geographical distance, and that the late Mr. Sugihara's activities to save the lives of Jews had a major impact on Lithuanian understanding of Japan.
   
   
2. Nuclear Power Plant Project
   Prime Minister Kubilius expressed his expectations toward Japan's advanced nuclear technology in relation to the construction of the Visaginas Nuclear Power Plant in the country. Prime Minister Noda said that Japan will share the experience and lessons learned from the accident at Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station and contribute to enhancing nuclear safety in Lithuania.
   
   
3. Japan-EU EPA
   Prime Minister Noda expressed his expectations for further development of bilateral economic relations, and requested Lithuania's cooperation for the early start of the negotiation for a Japan-EU economic partnership agreement (EPA). In response, Prime Minister Kubilius expressed his expectations for investment by Japanese companies, and conveyed his intention of placing an emphasis on the progress of a Japan-EU EPA.
   
   
4. Other
   The two leaders also exchanged views on the economic situation in Europe as well as cooperation in the international arena, including bilateral cooperation in Afghanistan.