Deepening ties between Asia and Europe will prove advantageous for economic growth on both sides. Japan needs to play a leading role while cooperating with European countries that share common values with Japan.
Speaking at a summit of the Asia-Europe Meeting in Brussels, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe emphasized that strengthening the connectivity of Asia and Europe is indispensable to mutual development. This underscores his vision for developing roads and port facilities connecting the two regions to invigorate the distribution of goods and movement of people.
ASEM consists of 51 countries and two organizations in Asia and Europe, which together account for nearly 60 percent of the world's gross domestic product. It is essential to enhance unity and bolster reciprocal relationships.
The chair's statement adopted after the ASEM summit highlighted the need to make sustainable efforts regarding connectivity between the two regions, sounding a warning against hasty development investments.
The emphasis on connectivity is in recognition of China's pushing forward of its Belt and Road Initiative to establish a huge economic zone. Cases of Asian developing countries suffering excessive debts have emerged one after another.
China's investments in Europe have been accelerating. A state-owned Chinese shipping company has acquired the operating rights of the biggest port in Greece. Among European countries, a sense of caution is spreading.
It is significant that ASEM, of which China is a member, has confirmed the need for sound infrastructure development. China is called on to make investments in a way conducive to regional stability and development.
Tackle trade friction
The chair's statement said that the ASEM will "fight all forms of protectionism." This is intended as a check on U.S. President Donald Trump's administration, which has been pressing U.S. trading partners to make concessions under the banner of its "America First" policy. The statement also said that ASEM leaders "reaffirmed strong support for preserving and strengthening the rules-based multilateral trading system."
It is significant that the participating Asian and European countries jointly confirmed the significance of promoting free and open trade. It is imperative that the international community's concerns are conveyed to Washington at various opportunities.
In a separate meeting, Abe and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to reinforce security cooperation. The governments of the two countries in July signed the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA) under which the Self-Defense Forces and the French military provide supplies to each other.
France has territories in the South Pacific Ocean. The stability of maritime order would serve national interests of Japan and France. The SDF and the French military should bolster their relations by accumulating practical cooperation, including holding joint exercises.
Next year, Japan will host meetings of the Group of 20 major economies, and France will chair the Group of Seven advanced nations. It is indispensable to tackle such challenges as trade friction and maritime security through close cooperation.
By taking advantage of his long term in office, Abe must strategically carry out summit diplomacy.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Oct. 21, 2018)
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