Japan-Luxembourg Relations
Japan-Luxembourg Summit Meeting
October 16, 2014
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, who is visiting Milan to attend the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit Meeting, held a meeting with Mr. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, for approximately 15 minutes between the sessions on the afternoon of October 16. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
- At the outset, Prime Minister Abe explained that he met T.R.H. Crown Prince Guillaume, and Crown Princess Stéphanie of Luxembourg when they visited Japan last week, and hopes new business relationships will develop as a result of the economic and trade mission that accompanied them. Prime Minister Abe also extended his congratulations over the appointment of former Luxembourg Prime Minister Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker as President of the European Commission. Prime Minister Bettel expressed gratitude for the Japanese side’s efforts in connection with the visit to Japan by T.R.H Crown Prince Guillaume and Crown Princess Stéphanie of Luxembourg, and said he wants to further strengthen economic relations with Japan.
- The two prime ministers shared the view that based on Luxembourg’s Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the latter half of next year, they will work together, and will strive to bring about a broad agreement on the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in 2015.
- Prime Minister Abe explained that the Third United Nations World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction is scheduled to be held in Sendai in March next year, and Prime Minister Bettel wished the success of the Conference. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe stated if Prime Minister Bettel visits Japan he will be welcome, and Prime Minister Bettel replied that he is willing to adjust his schedule and visit Japan, and added that when Prime Minister Abe visits Europe next time, he hopes Prime Minister Abe will also visit Luxembourg.
- Prime Minister Abe and Prime Minister Bettel shared the recognition that the ASEM is a beneficial forum for building a mutually complementary win-win relationship between Europe and Asia.