Japan's Abe to Visit Europe, Middle East in July

Tokyo, June 19 (Jiji Press)--Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is planning to visit Belgium, France, Egypt and Saudi Arabia on July 11-18, a government official said Tuesday. On July 11, Abe will attend a signing ceremony for the economic partnership agreement for free trade between Japan and the European Union in Brussels. He will join a summit of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, also in the Belgian capital. Japan and the EU concluded their EPA talks in December last year after over four years of negotiations. Amid an increase in protectionist moves including U.S. steel and aluminum tariffs, Japan and the EU aim to highlight their stance of promoting free trade through an early effectuation of the EPA deal. At the NATO summit, Abe is expected to call for cooperation over North Korea's denuclearization, maritime security and cyber defense. The Japanese leader will then travel to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron. Abe will attend the opening ceremony of the Japonismes 2018 cultural promotion event on July 12 and watch a military parade on July 14, Bastille Day, celebrating the anniversary of a key event in the 1789 French Revolution. In Egypt and Saudi Arabia, Abe is expected to convey Japan's stance of placing importance on the Middle East after his visit to Israel and the Palestinian territories in May. He will also reaffirm collaboration with Egyptian and Saudi leaders in the fields of economy, energy and fight against terrorism. Another expected topic is the Iran nuclear deal. END