Brussels, 11/01/2000 (Agence Europe) - On the occasion of the EU/Japan meeting at ministerial level in Brussels on Tuesday, the European Union and Japan adopted a Joint Statement confirming their backing for the rapid launch of a global WTO negotiating round. This statement and the "coordination between the European Union and Japan before, during and following the WTO meeting in Seattle" are the demonstration of "our good relations", remarked the Commissioner for External Affairs, Chris Patten at the end of the meeting. Focused on the economic and trade relations between the EU and Japan, the meeting also turned to deregulation and negotiations over a mutual recognition agreement. Progress was however slow on these two issues, said the Commissioner. The problem is that we "have good vibrations with Japan but these remain to be acted on", said a senior official. Here are the main results of this meeting:
- WTO negotiations: "the European Union and Japan confirm in their "Joint Statement" the backing for the "early" launch of a new round of negotiations "sufficiently broad to include not only the "built-in agenda" (agriculture and services) and market access, but also strengthening existing rules and disciplines like anti-dumping, as we as the establishment of new rules in the field of investment and competition and trade facilitation".
The two parties state, moreover, their interest for other aspects, like the environment and the establishment of a "dialogue on trade, globalisation and working standards". This latter point marks a breakthrough in negotiations on the social aspect of trade, over which so far Japan has been reluctant. The Europeans "hope that Japan will be able to discuss this issue with Asian countries hostile to social standards, like Malaysia", a Community source remarked.
The "Joint Statement" reaffirms the need to provide technical assistance for implementing WTO agreements (ie, notable agreements on intellectual property) to which developing countries will have to comply from this year. Japan and the EU agreed to continue their initiative of the preferential opening of markets to the least advanced countries, members of the WTO. Finally, the two parties recognise that agricultural negotiations and those on services will begin in the framework of the WTO and the "built-in" agenda agreed in 1994 at the end of the Uruguay Round.
The Japanese Minister for international trade and industry (MITI), Takashi Fukaya, proposed, moreover, setting up an informal discussion group within the WTO to re-launch negotiations blocked in Seattle, say Japanese sources. A group of consultants, experts and company bosses could meet under the direction of WTO Director General, Mike Moore, Mr. Fukaya suggested.
- Deregulation: the European Union welcomes progress in the deregulation of the Japanese market in the automobile and pharmaceutical sectors, Commissioner Patten told the press, recalling that the Commissioner for Trade, Pascal Lamy, had presented new suggestions in November on the opening of the telecommunications and transport sectors. The Commission presented some forty requests of deregulation, and Japan has to present its second deregulation programme in March.
- Agreement on mutual recognition of certifcation. Conclusion of the agreement under negotiation for the last four years still depends upon the response of Japan, which must "tell us yes or no", stated Chris Patten. "We do not think there is much left to complete on our side", he added. Japan, which will be concluding this type of agreement for the first time, seems to be having legal problems with the enforcement of European standards by its national bodies. The ministerial meeting does not appear to have led to any encouraging signs in this area.
- Competition. The two parties discussed the possibility of introducing cooperation in the area of competition, on the model of the agreement between the EU and the United States on the one hand, and between Japan and the United States on the other. Commissioner Mario Monti was in Japan in the autumn to discuss this matter and exploratory contacts are being made before the Commission asks the Council for a negotiating brief.
- Consumers. The two parties discussed the consumer dialogue launched last November and the Commission proposed expanding to other Japanese ministries concerned the dialogue on the specific issues of biotechnology and genetically modified organisms.
- North Korea. "Japan helped us at our doorstep by participating in the financing of the Stability Pact in the Balkans, so it is only natural that in return we should contribute to the dialogue with Korea. I intend to pursue my contacts with the Japanese on this subject", stated Chris Patten.
