Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Monday championed free trade amid rising protectionist sentiment in some parts of the world and agreed to step up cooperation in tackling new security challenges.
The meeting between the leaders of the world’s third- and fourth largest economies came on the heels of the entry into force Friday of a free trade agreement between Japan and the European Union, with Merkel saying the accord covering about a third of the global economy will “send an important signal to the world”.
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The two leaders said they agreed to support the development of self-driving car, artificial intelligence and other cutting-edge technologies.
As part of efforts to expand security cooperation, Abe and Merkel broadly agreed on a pact aimed at facilitating the exchange of classified information, including in the field of terrorism.
Japan has similar deals with Australia, Britain, France, India, Italy, South Korea, the United States and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. Abe and Merkel, who intends to step down as chancellor in 2021 after 16 years in power, also discussed regional issues, including China, North Korea and Russia.
On Russia, Abe explained his recent talks with President Vladimir Putin toward
concluding a bilateral postwar peace treaty, but Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasutoshi Nishimura, who briefed reporters after the meeting, declined to elaborate further.
In the news conference, Abe said he told Merkel that a no-deal divorce should be avoided as it would have a negative impact on the global economy, given that a number of Japanese companies are operating in Britain.
Merkel, who came to Japan for the first time in about three years, said Germany is making all-out efforts to avoid such an outcome and the issue will not advance without hearing from Britain what it wants.
Reference: Abe, Merkel agree to cooperate over free trade, security
