TOKYO, Oct. 16, 2018 (BSS/Xinhua) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe
departed Tuesday for a European tour that will see him visit Spain, France
and Belgium for a series of summit talks and to attend the Asia-Europe
Meeting (ASEM) in Belgium.
Prior to his departure, the Japanese leader said that he will during his
five-day trip underscore the importance of a “free, fair and ruled-based
economic order,” amid rising concerns about global protectionism.
The first stop for Abe will be Spain, where he is scheduled to meet with
both Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and King Felipe VI before heading to France
on Wednesday.
In France, President Emmanuel Macron will host Abe, with a number of
pertinent issues including Japan’s free trade agreement with the European
Union and Japan’s push for fair and open trade likely to be high on the
agenda, sources here said.
On Thursday, Abe will visit Brussels in Belgium to attend the two-day ASEM
summit, which is held every other year with Asia and Europe alternating as
hosts.
A number of issues are slated to be traversed at the ASEM summit this year
including those related to cybersecurity, environmental protection and female
empowerment.