Abe, Merkel affirm cooperation for free trade

June 28, 2019

Osaka--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and German Chancellor Angela Merkel affirmed their commitment to safeguarding free trade when they met on the sidelines of the Group of 20 summit in this western Japan city on Friday.

During the bilateral meeting, Abe expressed his eagerness, as the G-20 summit's chair, to help the group of major advanced and emerging economies achieve unity and send a strong message of support for global economic growth, according to officials with access to the meeting.

Merkel said she also hopes to send a strong message backing free trade, as her country takes the same position as Japan.

Later in the day, Abe had bilateral talks with exiting British Prime Minister Theresa May, thanking her for her contribution to strengthening security and other ties between Japan and Britain.

May said she hopes to continue to work to develop the bilateral relationship. They also discussed tensions over Iran. Jiji Press