(VOVworld) – German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called on Russia this week to play a constructive role in bringing the crisis in Ukraine to a peaceful and diplomatic conclusion.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and German Chancellor Angela Merkel hold a meeting on Monday at the Prime Minister’s Office. (Photo: the-japan-news.com)

At a press conference with Merkel in Tokyo on Monday, Prime Minister Abe said the solution should be based on a complete implementation of the truce agreement reached 2 months ago.

During their talks, Abe and Merkel agreed that they, with Brazil and India, will urge reform of the UN Security Council. They promised to make every effort to help Japan and the EU reach a free trade agreement in 2015. They reviewed their commitment to cooperation in fighting terrorism and talked about marine security in East Asia and the nuclear program of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.