Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe (R) shakes hands with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Tokyo on Wednesday, Aug. 29, 2007.(Photo: CCTV.com) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 30 -- German and Japanese leaders have promised to push for a global treaty aimed at slashing greenhouse gas emissions. They also called for close cooperation in the fight against terrorism.

    Kicking off a three-day visit to Japan, German Chancellor Angela Merkel met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to discuss global warming, the situation in Afghanistan, and other security issues.

    Both countries are promoting a plan to cut emissions of greenhouse gases by 50 percent by the year 2050.

    Merkel said Japan should take center stage in that effort, since it will be the host of next year's Group of Eight summit of industrialized countries.

    Merkel said, "Europe can contribute, but Europe cannot alone produce a G-8 position. So Japan must also play a key role."

    Japan has announced an array of new initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It's also calling for a new global warming pact to succeed the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.

    Abe said, "What is important is that each and every nation recognizes that it has a responsibility and discuss this issue with this awareness. We need to create a framework that will involve the major gas-emitting nations."

    On security, Abe said he will push to extend Japan's military mission by offering refueling and logistical support for forces in the Indian Ocean, so that the US-led operation in Afghanistan can continue.

    Abe said, "To hamper terrorism over the sea, the international community expects Japan to continue this operation."

    The German chancellor also reacted to the liberation of a number of South Korean hostages in Afghanistan on Wednesday. A German hostage and his Afghan colleagues are still being held by the Taliban.

    Merkel said, "The situation concerning the South Korean hostages will not change the way we deal with the Taliban. We are, through the crisis committee, very much involved and engaged and make everything possible for the liberation of our own hostages."

    Whether the Taliban will release the German and Afghan hostages remains to be seen.

(Source: CCTV.com)

Abe, Merkel discuss co-op on climate change

    TOKYO, Aug. 29 (Xinhua) -- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel agreed during their talks here Wednesday to strengthen bilateral cooperation over reducing global greenhouse gas emissions.

    The two leaders agreed to work together closely on building an effective post-Kyoto Protocol framework where all major emitters will take part to cope with climate change at next year's G-8 summit in northern Japan's Hokkaido Prefecture. Full story