Prime Minister and LDP President Shinzo Abe met with Prime Minister Joseph Muscat of the Republic of Malta and agreed to cooperate on the early enactment of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Japan and the EU (European Union), and on the encouragement of more people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Japan is surrounded by oceans and seas, and the island country of Malta by the Mediterranean Sea. The two maritime nation heads confirmed the importance of strengthening maritime order based on the rule of law. They also agreed to cooperate on the North Korean abduction, nuclear, and missile issues.

<August 1 (Wednesday) Prime Minister's Office>