By KUNA,
Brussels : The 17th annual EU-Japan summit to be held in Tokyo on Wednesday will focus on strengthening cooperation on key global challenges such as climate change and meeting the Millennium Development Goals, particularly in Africa. This meeting, ahead of the G8 from 7-9 July in Japan, will also address the situation in the WTO Doha Development Agenda negotiations, and regional issues in East Asia, the Middle East, Afghanistan and Myanmar, as well as EU-Japan relations, according to an European Commission (EC) statement today.
EC President Jose Manuel Barroso will represent the EU, together with Slovenian Prime Minister Janez Jansa in his capacity as the current President-in-office of the European Council. They will be joined by Commissioner for External Relations Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, and Commissioner for External Trade, Peter Mandelson. Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda will represent Japan.
“Japan is an important global player and a key strategic partner for the EU. We have a shared responsibility to show leadership on key global challenges,” said Barroso in press statements.
On her part, Ferrero-Waldner said the EU and Japan are partners in promoting peace and stability in many parts of the world such as Afghanistan, the Middle East, Sri Lanka and Chad.