Statement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the adoption of the negotiating mandates for a Japan-EU EPA and an agreement covering political and other cooperation by the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU

November 29, 2012
Japanese

Japan welcomes that the Foreign Affairs Council of the EU, composed of the EU member states, adopted the negotiating mandates for a Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and an agreement covering political and other cooperation on November 29.
With this decision by the Foreign Affairs Council, the European Commission obtained the negotiating mandate for the Japan-EU EPA, which clears the path for the launch of negotiations between Japan and the EU.
Given the potential of the Japan-EU EPA to contribute to economic growth of both sides, Japan will continue to work towards a high level EPA with the EU. In parallel with the Japan-EU EPA, Japan will also work on the agreement that will provide a legal foundation for the Japan-EU relationship promoting a wide range of cooperation.

(* The foregoing is a provisional translation. The date indicated above denotes the date of issue of the original press release in Japanese.)

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