Brussels, 03/05/2016 (Agence Europe) - The leaders of the EU - the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, and the President of the Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker - and the Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, stressed, before starting their work during Abe's visit to Brussels, on Tuesday 3 May, the desire of both sides to conclude a free-trade agreement by the end of 2016.
“We will provide a clear political steer to our negotiations on a free-trade agreement. I hope we can conclude the negotiations for both agreements (the strategic partnership agreement and the free-trade agreement) in the near future (…). The EU is interested in a strategic partnership with Japan that will be underpinned by an ambitious trade deal. For this to happen, both sides need to demonstrate political will”, Tusk told a press conference preceding the meeting.
“Our free-trade agreement with Japan is so important. Negotiations have progressed, but now we must finish the job. I am confident we can do this before the end of this year”, Juncker added.
“What is important is to have the agreement in principle at an early as possible timing during this year of negotiations on the economic partnership agreement as well as the early conclusion of the strategic partnership agreement”, Abe commented.
The EU/Japan free-trade negotiations, which were launched in March 2013, have been treading water since the last bilateral summit in May 2015. On the sidelines of the most recent G20 summit in Antalya, in mid-November 2015, the EU and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to conclude an agreement in 2016.
The 15th round of talks, held in early March, did not allow progress to be made in a negotiation in which the positions are still poles apart. The EU still wants further progress in all areas, particularly on the lifting of non-tariff measures, access to public procurement contracts, the protection of geographical indications and the removal of tariffs on agricultural products (see EUROPE 11501).
It is hoped that Abe's visit to Brussels on Tuesday will clear the ground for the G7 summit in Ise Shima, on 26 and 27 May. With regard to this, Tusk on Tuesday welcomed Japan's decision to put the question of migration and refugees on the top of the agenda of the G7 summit, by request of the EU. “This is a global crisis. Therefore we need to build a global awareness and encourage others to step up their efforts. The international community needs to acknowledge that countries like Lebanon or Jordan are providing a global public good in assisting refugees. This public good has to be financed by the global community”, Tusk commented.
For his part, Juncker welcomed Japan's decision to make the question of investment central to the agenda of the G7. “Investment is vital. This goes hand in hand with structural reforms and responsible management of public finances”, he commented, taking the same opportunity to call on Japanese investors to get on board the investment plan for Europe, which has already mobilised more than €82 billion in the first ten months of its existence. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)