FY2005 Japan-EU Regulatory Reform Dialogue Brussels Meeting

March 9, 2006

FY2005 Japan-EU (European Union) Regulatory Reform Dialogue Brussels Meeting will be held on March 20 and 21 in Brussels (at the European Commission Headquarters).
The Meeting will be co-chaired by Mr. Kaoru Ishikawa, Director General, Economic Affairs Bureau, Foreign Ministry, who leads the Japanese delegation consisting of officials from the ministries and agencies concerned, and by Mr. Karel Kovanda, Deputy Director General, External Relations Directorate General, European Commission, who leads the EU delegation consisting of representatives of the related departments of the Commission and the related EU Member States.
The meeting will discuss regulations in the EU and Japan, with a view to improving the business environment including investment promotion so that Japan and the EU will enjoy strengthened economic ties.
This will be the 12th dialogue meeting since it started in 1994. At the Brussels Meeting in 2006, there will be discussion mainly on Japan's Proposals for Regulatory Reform in EU in such fields as commercial law and business practices, information and intellectual property, employment, legal services, telecommunications, broadcasting services, construction, medicine/pharmaceuticals, environment, work and residence permits and driving licenses. The meeting will also touch upon EU's proposals to Japan on such matters as investment environment, pharmaceuticals and government procurement.

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