Europe

　Prime Minister Abe stated he was pleased by the fact that the relationship of “ exceptional partners,” on which the two leaders shared their views when President Hollande visited Japan last year, had been steadily crystallized. Prime Minister Abe also stated that the Japan-France Foreign and Defense Ministers’ Meeting was held last January and it was an important effort for the promotion of Japan’s “proactive contribution to peace.”
　In response , President Hollande stated that the “Road Map” the two leaders had announced upon his visit to Japan last year had been steadily progressing and highly appreciated a fact that cooperation in the field of security had been strengthened by the first-ever 2+2 meeting.

　Prime Minister Abe and President Hollande shared the views that they would further progress specific cooperation according to the three pillars of politics and security, economy and culture that the two leaders had agreed to when President Hollande visited Japan.
(1) In terms of politics and security, Prime Minister Abe stated that he would advance cooperation for peace and stability in Africa and at the same time would like to proceed with cooperation in the field of defense equipment as well.
(2) Regarding the field of economy, Prime Minister Abe stated that he would like to advance industrial cooperation in the fields of nuclear energy and high-technology, with cooperation in Turkey in his mind. In response to this, President Hollande stated that he would like to enhance the export of nuclear power plants of Japan and France to third countries and would cooperate with Japan in other fields.
(3) Concerning the fields of education and sports, Prime Minister Abe stated that in addition to cooperation between colleges and universities of the two countries, he would like to provide cooperation in the field of sports in some way. In response this, President Hollande stated that he would like to work cooperatively for the mutual recognition of academic degrees between colleges and universities of the two countries in the future as well.

　Prime Minister Abe stated that the change of the status quo by force cannot be accepted and expressed his intention to keep coordinating with the G7.
　In response, President Hollande stated that Russia’s annexation of Crimea cannot be accepted from the viewpoint of territorial integrity and appreciated Japan’s financial contribution to the dispatch of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) mission.