TOKYO: Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and European Union leaders confirmed on Tuesday the significance of examining the World Health Organization's response to the novel coronavirus outbreak and carrying out reforms of the international body.

In a videoconference, Abe also agreed with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen that Japan and the EU will closely cooperate to prevent the virus from spreading further.

At its annual meeting on May 19, the World Health Assembly, the decision-making body of the WHO, adopted a resolution calling on WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus to examine the organization's response to the pandemic.

A fair, independent and comprehensive investigation needs to be conducted, Abe told the EU leaders.

In response, the EU side noted that it is important to conduct an investigation into the spread of the virus while pointing to the need for strengthening the capabilities of the WHO and other international organizations to deal with infectious diseases.

Abe and the EU leaders also agreed to work together for the success of a summit of the Group of Seven major industrial nations in late June, set to be hosted by the United States.

Abe said that he plans to propose at the summit the establishment of a system for integral management of patents for drugs for the novel coronavirus. The videoconference was held at the request of the EU side.

The G-7 groups Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United States. The EU also takes part in G-7 gatherings.

JIJI Press