Brussels, 30/05/2011 (Agence Europe) - As well as giving the green light to talks for the conclusion of a free-trade agreement (see other article), the EU/Japan summit held in Brussels on 28 May also launched the process for the negotiation of a “binding” general bilateral agreement covering political and sectorial cooperation. The European leaders present at the Summit - Herman Van Rompuy and José Manuel Barroso - and the Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan tasked experts on both sides with defining the scope and level of ambition of such an agreement. At this stage, EU/Japan bilateral relations are not as yet governed by an agreement of this kind in correct form, but by two simple political documents: a “joint declaration” dating from 1991 and an “action plan” for cooperation, which dates from 2001. Both parties also wish to look into the possibility of establishing a framework for cooperation between governments in the field of satellite navigation. The summit also decided to launch an exchange programme for diplomats between the EU and Japan.
International politics. The two sides also wish to focus more on the major issues of international politics, the summit agreed. In the Middle East, for example, they wish to step up their socio-economic support efforts in favour of the Palestinian people. In Afghanistan, they wish to reinforce cooperation on the issues of security, development and training the Afghan security forces. The EU and Japan also plan jointly to hold a conference on the border between Afghanistan and Tajikistan in the second half of this year in à Dushanbe. The two parties are also determined to support the “legitimate aspirations” of the people of North Africa and the Middle East calling for democratic transition and the socio-economic modernisation of their country. (H.B./transl.fl)