Launching and First Meeting of the Headquarters for the Promotion of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Negotiations

October 27, 2009
Japanese

In order to periodically review the negotiations of Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and World Trade Organization (WTO) Doha Round, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs launched the Headquarters for the Promotion of Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Negotiations, which is headed by Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs. The First Meeting was held on October 27.
The purpose and members of the Headquarters are as follows.

(1) Purpose

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the State Secretary for Foreign Affairs and the Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs in charge receive reports regarding EPA negotiations and WTO Doha Round negotiations, and review negotiation policies and domestic coordinations.

(2) Members

Chair of Headquarters: Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs

Acting Chair of Headquarters: Mr. Koichi Takemasa, State Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Mr. Shuji Kira, Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs

Vice-Chair of Headquarters: Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs

Staff Members: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of economic affairs, Ambassador for International Economic Affairs, Deputy Vice-Minister, Deputy Vice- Minister for Foreign Policy, Director-General for Economic Affairs Bureau, Director-General for International Legal Affairs Bureau

(*Depending on the agenda, members from other bureaus and senior officials in charge of negotiations may also attend.)

At the first meeting, discussions focused on the upcoming diplomatic schedule regarding economic affairs, as well as EPAs that Japan is currently negotiating and issues for promoting negotiations.

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