Aso to visit Czech Republic, Germany in early May+

TOKYO, April 24 Kyodo -
Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso will make a four-day visit to the Czech
Republic and Germany from May 3 to hold talks with the countries' leaders,
Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura said Friday.
In the Czech Republic, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the
European Union, Aso will hold a Japan-EU summit meeting as well as bilateral
talks with Czech President Vaclav Klaus, the government's top spokesman said.
In Germany, Aso will meet Chancellor Angela Merkel and deliver a policy speech
in Berlin on Japan-EU relations. Overcoming the global economic crisis and
dealing with climate change are likely to be among the top agenda items in
Aso's talks with the European leaders, Kawamura said.
Ahead of his scheduled European trip, Aso will meet with President Hu Jintao as
well as Premier Wen Jiabao during a two-day visit to China beginning Wednesday.
==Kyodo