25/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - EU backs idea of a free trade agreement with Japan. The section of the conclusions devoted to Japan confirms the importance of the strategic partnership between the EU and Japan. Thus, the next bilateral summit, scheduled for May, must be used “to strengthen this relationship and bring forward our common agenda, including through the potential launch of negotiations for a free trade agreement on the basis that Japan is willing to tackle inter alia the issue of non-tariff barriers and restriction on pubic procurement”. Speaking to the press, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said he had argued for the inclusion of this reference in the final conclusions. (E.H./transl.rt)