Message from Ambassador Nobutake Odano
The appointment of Ambassador Nobutake ODANO was announced in Tokyo on 15 July 2008. He presented his credentials to the European Council Presidency and to President José Manuel Barroso of the European Commission in Brussels on September 15 and 16 respectively.
Ambassador ODANO emphasizes the importance of closer and future-oriented cooperation between Japan and the European Union.
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Ambassador Odano presents his credentials to President Barroso
The European Union enters a new stage with the Lisbon Treaty, Permanent President of the Council Van Rompuy, High Representative Ashton, President Barroso and his new Commission. Europeans now have a more cogent authority.
The EU plays an important role in the international community. It is a like-minded partner for Japan. More specifically, Japan and the EU have been jointly addressing global challenges as the main stabilizing players in international politics, trade and the world economy, science and research, development assistance, and in many other settings and environments. Further strengthening the cooperation between the two will lead to increase in prosperity and stability, and to a better future for all. There is much more potential for stronger and deeper Japan-EU relations which can produce significant achievements. We need to continue our efforts to realize this goal.
Europe, where public awareness on the issue of climate change is high, promoted a 20-20 target (20% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2020) and co-operated with Japan which articulated a 25% reduction target at the COP15 in Copenhagen. The EU is formulating a new strategy targeting the year 2020 in order to achieve sustainable economic growth by overcoming unemployment, ageing and the declining birthrate issue. Japanese society is rapidly ageing with a higher life expectancy with Japan examining a new growth strategy aiming at the same timeframe. Japan and the EU are leading international cooperation in the field of research on next-generation nuclear fusion. Consumer and food safety are common issues for Japan and the EU. Sharing good practice and relevant information will lead to increase in welfare of their people. It goes without saying that the EU is a major trade and investment partner for Japan. The EU is also the biggest FDI stock holder in Japan surpassing the U.S.. Moreover, Japan and the EU, according to 2008 statistics, account for approximately 8% and 30% respectively, in total about 38% of the world GDP. Our close cooperation can make a significant contribution to the world economy.
In addition to the economic field, Japan and the EU are cooperating in the field of disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation including the nuclear issues surrounding North Korea and Iran as well as counterterrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Keeping shipping lanes safe is indispensable in today’s interdependent and integrated world. Japan and more than 20 other countries have been contributing to anti-piracy operations off the coast of Somalia. It has been reported that some European ships have escaped possible pirate attacks as a result of cooperation between the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force and the EU’s naval force in Operation ATALANTA. Japanese patrol aircraft have also been providing valuable information. Regional integration is another area of cooperation to be promoted. As Prime Minister Hatoyama stated in his policy speech in January 2010, Japan, together with the EU, can pursue the ideal model of open regional community, envisioning an East Asian Community.
I will continue to make efforts in order to expand those areas of Japan-EU cooperation . In the past few months, Japan and the EU signed the Agreement on Cooperation in Science and Technology as well as the Agreement on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters. This February, we organised a symposium on the future of Japan-EU relations. In the first half of 2010, the 31st Japan-EU Parliamentary Meeting and the 19th Japan-EU Summit are scheduled. The Mission of Japan continues to develop Japan-EU cooperation through multi-layered exchanges based on our common fundamental values and principles such as democracy, humanitarianism, the rule of law, and freedom of the press.
February 2010
Nobutake ODANO
Ambassador of Japan to the European Union