(VOVworld) – Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is visiting Germany to discuss the agenda for the G7 Summit to be held in Japan later this month and stronger links between Japan and Germany.

Energy ministers of the G7 countries meet in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo: Kyodo/VNA)

German Chancellor Angela Merkel told reporters on Wednesday following her meeting with Abe that high on the G7 meeting’s agenda is global economic growth, for which the two countries pay special attention to structural reforms, investment, and monetary policies.

Both leaders also discussed foreign affairs, security, and counter-terrorism. Merkel called on Japan to contribute more to global efforts to resolve conflicts and the current migrant crisis. Their discussion included the Syrian civil war, Ukraine’s crisis, and water disputes in East Asia, on which they shared the view that only peaceful measures can resolve the disputes.

Merkel rejected the idea that Germany is only concerned with its economics ties with China while talking about Germany’s reactions to Beijing activities in the East Sea. She said Germany and China have strong ties in several areas, including economics, politics, culture, and human rights, and both sides have discussed East Sea issues. Germany reiterated the need for dialogue and peaceful settlement of disputes without escalating tensions.