The Fourth Meeting on the Joint Study for Enhancing Economic Relations between Japan and Australia, including the Feasibility or Pros and Cons of a Free Trade Agreement

July 19, 2006

The fourth meeting on the joint study for enhancing economic relations between Japan and Australia, including the feasibility or pros and cons of a free trade agreement will be held from July 18 (Tue) to 21 (Fri) at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Canberra, Australia.
The joint study has been held based on the summit meeting between Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and Prime Minister of Australia John Howard in April 2005, when they agreed to hold an inter-governmental joint study to examine the ideal form of economic partnership suitable for developed nations in order to further develop existing friendly Japan-Australia relations. This is the fourth meeting. The third meeting, which was held in March 2006, agreed to speed up the study.
At this meeting, trade in goods (non-tariff barriers, customs procedures and rules of origin); trade in services; securing of a stable supply of energy and minerals; intellectual property rights; competition policy; technical regulations and standards; dispute avoidance and settlement; and stable food supply will be discussed. Sessions with specialists in the private sector will also be scheduled during this meeting.

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