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*Abe, Merkel reaffirm cooperation on climate change, antiterror mission*
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel
reaffirmed their cooperation on climate change, U.N. reforms and support for
antiterrorism operations in Afghanistan in talks in Tokyo on Wednesday.
The German leader also expressed hope that Japan will continue its
support for U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan, saying the world ''must not
compromise with terrorism'' and that Germany pays attention to Japan's
contribution to the fight against terrorism.
''We engaged in a meaningful exchange of opinions on cooperation at the
United Nations as well as on climate change and energy, which will be the
main issues at next year's (Group of Eight) summit to be held in Hokkaido's
Lake Toyako,'' Abe told a joint news conference afterward.
''This is an international process so I expect tough negotiations to
continue in the path ahead,'' said Merkel, who praised Japan's contribution
to the realization of this year's G-8 summit pledge to work toward halving
greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. ''Europe cannot form the G-8 stance by
itself and Japan will play an important role.''
Referring to Germany's own deployment for the antiterrorism mission,
Merkel was quoted by a Japanese Foreign Ministry official as telling Abe
that while the issue is a sensitive and difficult one, a failure to continue
such deployment will send a ''bad signal'' to the terrorists.
As for Japan's participation, Merkel said at the news conference,
''Japan's refueling activities (in the Indian Ocean) and other contributions
are providing significant assistance to German vessels.''
Abe's government is having difficulty convincing the opposition camp,
which won a majority in the House of Councillors in July's election, to
agree to extend a special law that will expire Nov. 1 to continue the
deployment.
''I told her (Merkel) that I hope by all means to gain the opposition's
understanding and continue the activities that are anticipated and seen as
necessary by the international community,'' Abe said.
Merkel acknowledged that Germany will also have to decide on the future
of its own deployment, but she added, ''The situation (in Afghanistan) is
very difficult, but it is exactly because of such circumstances that it is
necessary for the international community to make it clear that it will not
bow to terrorism.''
She also said that in a meeting with Democratic Party of Japan
President Ichiro Ozawa set for Thursday, she will discuss bilateral as well
as international issues and try to seek common ground with the opposition
leader.
Climate change was a major topic at the recent G-8 summit hosted by
Germany in June and will also be key at the one Japan will chair next year.
The Abe-Merkel meeting came at a time when active diplomacy is being
undertaken on climate change and the two leaders agreed to step up joint
efforts to achieve success in a series of international meetings focusing on
ways to curb global warming scheduled in upcoming months, the Japanese
official said in briefing reporters.
''We agreed to cooperate in creating an effective framework where all
major emitters will take part,'' Abe said, naming top greenhouse gas
producers the United States, China and India.
Merkel has spearheaded efforts to get countries to make further
commitments to cut emissions. With Japan as chair next year, Abe hopes to
produce a concrete post-Kyoto Protocol climate change framework at the
Toyako summit.
The chancellor welcomed Japan's plan to utilize next year's summit to
showcase new technologies to tackle climate change and promised Germany's
cooperation in the field, according to the Japanese official.
Other G-8 members are Britain, Canada, France, Italy, Russia and the
United States. China and India took part in the so-called outreach meeting
in Heiligendamm, Germany, between the G-8 and five major emerging nations.
The two leaders said they also agreed to continue to cooperate in
trying to reform the U.N. Security Council, on which both Japan and Germany
covet permanent seats.
In 2005, Japan and Germany, along with Brazil and India, failed in
their bid to have the Security Council expanded.
Other topics discussed at the 70-minute talks and a working dinner that
followed included Merkel's visit to China, the North Korean and Iranian
nuclear standoffs, and the Middle East peace process, the official said.
Merkel also extended an invitation for Abe to visit Germany in April
next year on the occasion of the Hannover Messe, a leading international
show for industrial technologies, materials and product ideas. The Japanese
premier responded by saying he will consider it, the official said.
Merkel, who flew to Japan after a visit to China, is also scheduled to
meet Emperor Akihito on Thursday.
==Kyodo
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