Japan’s Abe holds talks with EU leader-elect

September 26, 2019

New York--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on Wednesday held talks with Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel, president-elect of the European Council.

The European Union is "an important partner that shares universal values" with Japan, Abe told Michel, set to become president of the council, a key decision-making body of the EU, in December.

Tokyo hopes to work closely with the EU to develop their relations further, Abe also said.

I reply, Michel expressed a wish to deepen the two-way cooperation even more.

Abe asked for cooperation so that import restrictions on Japanese food products will be removed early.

He also sought support for efforts to resolve the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals decades ago. Michel showed understanding. Jiji Press