Summary of the 9th Round of Negotiations on the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement

July 31, 2009
Japanese

The 9th round of negotiations on the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was held from July 27(Mon) to July 31(Fri) in Canberra.
In this round, Mr. Masato Takaoka, Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, other Deputy Director-General-level co-chairs, and officials from relevant ministries and agencies of Japan, and Ms. Jan Adams, First Assistant Secretary (Head of the Japan FTA Task Force), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and officials from relevant departments of Australia respectively participated.
In this round, useful discussions were held in each area including trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property, government procurement, energy and mineral resources, and food supply. A summary of the discussion is as follows:

(1)In respect of market access of trade in goods, both sides had discussions on their concerns based on the content of requests and offers that had been exchanged at the 4th Round of Negotiations. Regarding primary products, discussions on fishery products, fruit, etc. were held. Regarding industrial products, the Japanese side requested the Australian side to improve its offer on items of concern for the Japanese side.

(2)In respect of trade in services and investment, both sides continued discussions on their respective requests and discussed on the draft texts.

(3)In respect of energy and mineral resources, both sides discussed the draft text regarding a stable supply of these resources.

(4)In respect of food supply, both sides discussed what sort of measures could be examined to ensure a stable supply of food.
The next 10th round of negotiations will be held in Tokyo in late November, 2009. The detailed schedule will be determined through diplomatic channels.

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