The 20th EU-Japan Summit ends reaffirming the close partnership between the European Union and Japan as like-minded and major economies. Summit leaders are resolved to deepen bilateral relations from a comprehensive and long-term perspective, united by a shared commitment to fundamental values and principles, including democracy, the rule of law and human rights, as well as to the market-based economy and sustainable development, and faced with common global challenges.

Herman Van Rompuy, President of the European Council, Jose Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, and Naoto Kan, Prime Minister of Japan, met in Brussels in the framework of the EU-Japan Summit. The leaders discussed the aftermath of the devastating earthquake and tsunami which struck East Japan on 11 March. Their shared conviction is that Japan’s steadfast efforts will enable it to overcome the challenges, and emerge even stronger than before. The EU and Japan decided to continue close dialogue and seek possibilities for collaboration during the recovery and reconstruction phase. Summit leaders also shared the intention to enhance cooperation on disaster management and humanitarian assistance.

The main topic discussed in this summit was that the lessons learned from Fukushima must be carefully studied by governments and the nuclear industry to ensure that events of this kind never occur again. Summit leaders are resolved to work bilaterally and with their international partners to promote the highest levels of nuclear safety around the world, in particular through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the G8/G20. The EU and Japan will exchange information and views on the safety measures taken at nuclear power stations on both sides and further develop cooperation on strengthening international nuclear safety standards. Both sides have set in train action to ensure that safety at all their nuclear plants is rigorously assessed and, if needed, reinforced as a matter of urgency. Summit leaders encouraged all their international partners to take similar measures. The EU and Japan shared the view that it is important for public policy responses to be based on solid scientific evidence, including in relation to goods and travel.

On the other hand, they will start negotiations on a deep and comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA)/Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA), addressing all issues of shared interest to both sides including tariffs, non-tariff measures, services, investment, Intellectual Property Rights, competition and public procurement, and in a binding agreement, covering political, global and other sectoral cooperation in a comprehensive manner, and underpinned by their shared commitment to fundamental values and principles.

When the latest EU-Japan trade data were unveiled by the Commission, both Summit leaders underlined their determination to enhance cooperation and policy coordination bilaterally and with their G7/G8 and G20 partners to promote the recovery of the world economy, by securing strong, sustainable and balanced growth, fostering job creation, avoiding excessive macroeconomic imbalances and ensuring financial stability and fiscal sustainability.

The Summit leaders also reached agreements on facing global challenges, such as climate change which remains an urgent global issue or their strong commitment to the prevention of and fight against terrorism and promotion of implementation of the UN Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy. With regard to regional issues, summit leaders affirmed their support for the citizens' legitimate aspirations for democratic transition, economic modernisation and the respect for human rights acknowledging the historic importance of the changes underway in the Middle East and North Africa.

Determined to build closer ties between the citizens of the EU and Japan, the two sides will continue to promote joint study and mobility programmes between higher education institutions, and have decided to launch exchanges between their diplomats.