20/12/2018 (Agence Europe) – The Council of Ministers announced on Thursday 20 December on Twitter that the last step in the ratification procedure of the Economic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and Japan had been completed, as the Council had adopted the decision to conclude the ‘JEFTA'. As the European Parliament gave its approval to the agreement by a large majority on 13 December last (see EUROPE 12159, 12160) and the Japanese Diet also approved the agreement, both parties should formally notify each other, as of Friday 21 December, of the finalisation of ratification procedures. The date of entry into force of the agreement has been confirmed for 1 February 2019. (HD)