Meeting between Mr. Koichiro Gemba, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Mr. Michel Barnier, Commissioner for Internal Market and Services of the European Commission
January 20, 2012
Japanese
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Today, on Friday, January 20, from 4:40 p.m. (local time) for about 30 minutes, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Koichiro Gemba held a meeting with Mr. Michel Barnier, Commissioner for Internal Market and Services of the European Commission, who is currently visiting Japan. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1. The European Economy
Foreign Minister Gemba stated that he had a strong interest in the current situation of the European economy that accounts for a large weight in the world economy. He further mentioned that, with regard to the European debt crisis, Japan had also been collaborating with Europe through its purchase of EFSF (European Financial Stability Facility) bonds, based on the understanding that the response was primarily required from the respective European countries. In response, Commissioner Barnier explained the initiatives of Europe aimed at exiting from the debt crisis, and stated that Europe endeavored to solve mid- to long term problems by reducing fiscal expenditures of each Member State and cooperating towards the strengthening of governance, in addition to presently undertaken measures. Commissioner Barnier expressed his gratitude for Japan's purchase of EFSF bonds.
2. Japan-EU EPA
Commissioner Barnier stated that, for Europe to achieve growth going forward, in addition to revitalizing its internal market, promotion of economic partnerships with other regions of the world was important, and remarked that he regarded an Economic Partnership Agreement ("EPA") with Japan crucial.
Foreign Minister Gemba stated that the Japanese policy was also to seek high-level economic partnerships, and that Japan also considered a Japan-EU EPA crucial. Foreign Minister Gemba further stated that it was vital for both sides to work together towards an early launch of the EPA negotiations. Commissioner Barnier responded that Europe wished to move forward in the spirit of achieving a high-level partnership, and that he was pleased with the agreement reached between Japan and the EU in respect of the WTO Agreement on Government Procurement in December 2011. He further expressed his desire to work together with Minister Gemba for its implementation.
3. Regional State of Affairs
With regard to the regional state of affairs, there was an exchange of views specifically on the state of affairs in North Korea and the Middle East. In response to a request from Commissioner Barnier, Foreign Minister Gemba explained the Japanese perspective with regard to North Korea, and emphasized that cooperation from the international community was crucial for the abduction issue. There was a lively exchange of views on the situation in the Middle East, mainly on the state of affairs in Iran and Syria, drawing on Commissioner Barnier's past experience as the Foreign Minister of France.
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