安倍総理　欧州6カ国訪問－平成26年4月29日 5月8日 YouTube Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited Germany, the United Kingdom, Portugal, France, Spain and Belgium from April 29 to May 7. The overall significance and results of the visit are as follows: 1. Contributing to the world through "Abenomics" 　In the meetings with the leaders of the countries, it was clear that expectation and interest in Abenomics remain high. 　This year marks the 50th Anniversary of Japan's accession to the Organization for the Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Prime Minister Abe gave a keynote address at the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting as the Chair. He strongly presented the current economic and fiscal policies of Japan, as well as Japan's contribution to the global economy. The speech generated great expectation from all the countries. Additionally, at the Welcoming Dinner Hosted by the City of London, Prime Minister Abe gave a detailed explanation of the achievements Abenomics has produced in the one-year period since he gave remarks in the same location in June last year. Those attending highly praised Japan's efforts and achievements. 　Prime Minister Abe also confirmed the strengthening of cooperation between Japan, which has been revived as a result of Abenomics, and the European economy, which is beginning to regain its strength. He held lively exchanges of views with members of Europe's business community in Germany, the U.K., France and Belgium, and they shared the view that they would invigorate mutual investment and promote innovation via combined wisdom. 　Furthermore, during his visit to Europe, Prime Minister Abe himself conveyed his desire to reach agreement in principle on the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) during 2015 on various occasions and with the leaders of each country the importance of the early conclusion of a comprehensive and high-level EPA. 2. Putting into practice the concept of Proactive Contribution to Peace through Japan-Europe security cooperation 　As is clear from the Ukraine situation, the security environments surrounding Japan and Europe are closely linked and becoming increasingly severe. Shared global challenges, such as the "rule of law" in the oceans, are also growing more serious. 　In Prime Minister Abe's speech at the North Atlantic Council (NAC), the principal decision-making body within NATO, and in meetings with the leaders of the countries and organizations he visited, he fostered common recognition on the security environments surrounding Japan and Europe, and consistently received strong praise and support for Japan's security policy under the banner of "Proactive Contribution to Peace." 　As Japan puts "Proactive Contribution to Peace" into practice, Europe is an important partner with shared values. Through this trip to Europe, Prime Minister Abe reaffirmed the principles of adhering to the "rule of law" and freedom of the seas with all the countries. 　Concrete progress was made in security cooperation not only bilaterally with each of the countries visited, but also with NATO and the EU, which are engaged in the security of the region overall. For example, Prime Minister Abe shared views on specific cooperative projects, including cooperating on the EU's activities for the peace and stability of Republic of Mali, Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries, holding joint exercises with NATO and the EU in order to deal with piracy in the seas off the coast of Somalia and the Gulf of Aden, and cooperating with the U.K. and France on defense equipment technologies. http://www.mofa.go.jp/erp/ep/page22e_000373.html Prime Minister Abe's Visit to Germany, U.K., Portugal, Spain, France and Belgium (April 29 - May 8, 2014) http://www.mofa.go.jp/erp/c_see/page18e_000072.html Courtesy Call on Mr. Joachim Gauck, President of the Federal Republic of Germany, by Prime Minister Abe (April 30, 2014) Japan-Germany Summit Meeting (April 30, 2014) Dinner between Prime Minister Abe and Political and Business Leaders of the Federal Republic of Germany (April 29, 2014) Meeting Between Prime Minister Abe and Volker Kauder, Chairman of the CDU/CSU parliamentary group in the Bundestag (April 29, 2014) Redefining Japan-UK Relations - Remarks by Prime Minister Abe at the Welcoming Dinner Hosted by the City of London (May 1, 2014) JOINT COMMUNIQUÉ　By the Prime Minister of Japan　and the Prime Minister of Portuguese Republic (May 2, 2014) Japan-Slovenia Summit Meeting (May 6, 2014) OECD Ministerial Council Meeting - Keynote Speech by Prime Minister Abe (May 6, 2014) Japan-France Summit Meeting (May 5, 2014)

• published: 15 Jul 2014
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