The Prime Minister of the Republic of Slovenia and President of the European Council, Mr Janez Janša, together with the President of the European Commission, Mr José Manuel Barroso, today attended the 17th EU-Japan Summit in Tokyo. In a statement after the meeting, the Slovenian Prime Minister said that at today’s EU-Japan Summit a very broad consensus had been reached on a number of important issues, which could be summarised as three areas: the global fight against climate change, promotion of international peace and security and commitment to achieving greater prosperity and quality of life. Both sides took the opportunity to reaffirm their commitment to further strengthening the strategic partnership between the EU and Japan.
"The EU and Japan share concerns about climate change. We are both committed to further investing in the UN climate process aimed at achieving a global and comprehensive post-2012 agreement by the end of 2009," said European Council President Janez Janša. He maintained that it was of crucial importance that it was first of all the developed countries, principally the G8 countries, that agreed to include all positive suggestions and approaches in their plan and then led the fight against climate change and helped developing countries. "I think that we will be able to invite on board also the developing countries and those who are not included in the Kyoto process by virtue of our leadership and also our strong commitment. The only possible successful end to this fight is with a global approach and in this area the developed countries should take the lead," concluded the President of the European Council.
The Slovenian Prime Minister gave assurances that the EU and Japan would continue to work together to promote the stability of financial systems aiming at diminishing negative effects on developed and developing countries and to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, with special reference to the development of Africa.
The talks at the EU-Japan Summit also generated a clear message about promoting international peace and security. "There was a common understanding that, by coordinating efforts in areas such as water management, health, human resources, human rights and democracy, we shall contribute to stability and prosperity in Central Asia. A special commitment was made with respect to further cooperation on assistance to Afghanistan," said the Slovenian PM. Regarding the Middle East Peace Process, the European Union and Japan fully support the political process launched at Annapolis. "Only a negotiated solution can bring peace to this region," said Mr Janša.
The European Union and Japan remain determined to cooperate closely for greater prosperity and quality of life. "The European Union and Japan will work towards greater consumer safety and protection. We will intensify cooperation in civil aviation, which should lead to easier and safer travel between the European Union and Japan," said the President of the European Council, Janez Janša, and added that both sides were committed to making progress in the field of visa waivers. "I would like to stress our determination to enhancing mutual cooperation in the fields of science and technology," said the Premier, explaining that an agreement encompassing all these arrangements would soon be signed between the European Union and Japan.
In the evening, the Prime Minister and current President of the European Council, Janez Janša, and European Commission President José Manuel Barroso hosted a reception on the occasion of the 17th EU-Japan Summit Meeting. Mr Janša qualified the just-concluded Summit as historic, since the EU was being represented for the first time by one of the countries that had joined the EU in the latest enlargement wave.
It is also symbolic that the Republic of Slovenia won its freedom and independence at the time when the first EU-Japan Summit took place. The Slovenian Premier said he was pleased that the EU and Japan have reached a broad consensus on a number of issues. "One of the main messages of this Summit is that we must learn from one another in order to successfully respond to future challenges," he said, adding that the EU and Japan had many values in common, such as democracy, the rule of law and the market economy.
