On Friday 28 April, the European Commission published its progress report on the EU-Japan free trade negotiations carried out at the 18th round of technical talks, in Tokyo at the start of April.
The report sets out the progress achieved in all areas of the negotiation, including trade in goods, trade in services, non-tariff measures, rules of origin, public procurement, intellectual property (including geographical indications), institutional questions and regulatory cooperation.
The 18th round of EU-Japan free trade talks, in Tokyo from 3 to 5 April (see EUROPE 11766), enabled work to be done on reducing the gaps between the two parties, with the objective of concluding an agreement as soon as possible in 2017, European Commissioner for Trade Cecilia Malmström stated on 11 April.
The technical-level process is to be stepped up further. European and Japanese leaders are expected to maintain the momentum at the G7 summit, in Taormina, Italy, on 26 and 27 May.
The report can be consulted at: https://goo.gl/IWWlcE. (Original version in French by Emmanuel Hagry)