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Japan-EU Summit Meeting (Overview)

(Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office)

On Thursday, 3rd November, Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda had a summit meeting for about 15 minutes from 18:15 local time (2:15 on 4th November Japan time) with H.E. Mr. Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, and H.E. Mr. José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, when the Prime Minister visited Cannes to attend the G20 Summit.

1. Prime Minister Noda stated that he would like to further strengthen the Japan-EU relationship through this summit meeting, following the Japan-EU Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on 2nd November in Tokyo. President Van Rompuy expressed his delight to meet again after the last meeting in New York on the occasion of the UN General Assembly.
2. Regarding the economic situation in Europe, Prime Minister Noda said he was concerned about the developments over Greece’s possible referendum. He also pointed out the significance of the steady implementation of the EU comprehensive agreements reached last month at the Euro Summit. While referring to the Japan’s purchase of EFSF Bond, he stressed the importance of Japan-EU EPA in realizing further bilateral collaboration. In response, President Van Rompuy said that the idea to hold a referendum in Greece did not stand any more, and the main purpose of the Cannes G20 Summit was to restore confidence of the markets, by showing a sense of solidarity and political will for the financial stability in euro area.
3. Prime Minister Noda expressed his strong commitment to work on non-tariff measures as well as regulatory and institutional reform. He asked for EU’s cooperation in successfully concluding the scoping exercise and starting the negotiation as soon as possible. In response, President Barroso stated that the EU was committed to accelerating the scoping exercise and that he was satisfied with the progress so far and was willing to continue his efforts. Prime Minister Noda stated that he would exercise his leadership through the Government Revitalization Unit.
4. On the point of Japan-EU political agreement, President Barroso said that he would like to seek a substantive and comprehensive agreement, covering every area.