Meeting with Carlos Moedas, European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation. May 16, 2016

Exchanging opinions and insights (1)(Commissioner Moedas, second from left)

Exchanging opinions and insights (2)Commissioner Moedas, front left)

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On May 16, 2016, Minister of State for Science and Technology Policy, Ms. Aiko Shimajiri, met with the Commissioner Carlos Moedas of the EU Commission for Research, Science and Innovation. The meeting was held on the occasion of the G7 Science and Technology Ministers' Meeting in Tsukuba, Ibaraki.

Minister Shimajiri expressed her appreciation of Commissioner Moedas' visiting Japan and attending the Ministers' Meeting. She also expressed her desire that the G7 ministers actively discuss the issues at hand, leading to the issuance of the Tsukuba Communiqué.

In response, Commissioner Moedas expressed how impressed he was at the lively atmosphere of the Ministers' Meeting and the hospitality of Japan. He also stated how important each of the topics for discussion are at the Ministers' Meeting, particularly the topic of Open Science.

Both the minister and the commissioner expressed their frank opinions about the format of the Ministers' Meeting and their desires to continue exchanging opinions about strengthening Japan-EU cooperation in the future.

At the Ministers' Meeting Welcoming Reception, Commissioner Moedas expressed his appreciation for the hospitality of the prefecture and the city, enjoying Japanese culture in the form of cuisine made from ingredients sourced in Ibaraki Prefecture and traditional Japanese calligraphy.