Australia-Japan Trade and Economic Framework: The 6th Joint Consultative Committee Meeting (JCC) and The 3rd Joint Study for Enhancing Economic Relations between Japan and Australia, including the Feasibility and Pros and Cons of a Free Trade Agreement

March 28, 2006

The 6th Joint Consultative Committee Meeting (JCC) will be held in the afternoon of March 30 (Thu) and prior to that meeting, the 3rd Joint Study for Enhancing Economic Relations between Japan and Australia, including the Feasibility and Pros and Cons of a Free Trade Agreement will be held on March 28 (Tue), 29 (Wed) and in the morning of 30 (Thu) at the Foreign Ministry in Tokyo.
The 6th Joint Consultative Committee meeting will be co-chaired by Mr. Mitoji Yabunaka, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, on the Japanese side, and by Dr. Geoff Raby, Deputy Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, on the Australian side, and attended by relevant officials of the ministries and agencies concerned of both countries. The Committee meeting will be held based on the Australia-Japan Trade and Economic Framework, which was signed between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi of Japan and Prime Minister John Howard of Australia in July 2003. At the forthcoming meeting, information and views will be exchanged concerning such matters as the Joint Study for Enhancing Economic Relations between Japan and Australia, measures to facilitate trade and investment, and negotiations for free trade agreements with third countries.
The 3rd Joint Study for Enhancing Economic Relations between Japan and Australia will discuss the feasibility or the pros and cons of economic partnership agreements (EPA) or free trade agreements (FTA) about such items as commodity trade, service trade, energy and mineral resources, and stable supply, and will also set up a session with experts in the private sector.

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