Japan-EU Relations

May 2, 2024
Japanese
Foreign Minister Ms. KAMIKAWA, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Mr. SAITO, and Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for an Economy that Works for People, European Commissioner for Trade, under photo session
Foreign Minister Ms. KAMIKAWA, Minister for Economy, Trade and Industry Mr. SAITO, under negotiation with EU delegation

On May 2, the Japan-EU High-Level Economic Dialogue was held from 1:43p.m. (local time) and lasted for approximately 50 minutes. Ms. KAMIKAWA Yoko, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is visiting Paris (France) to attend the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting; Mr. SAITO Ken, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry; and Mr. Valdis Dombrovskis, Executive Vice President of the European Commission for an Economy that Works for People, European Commissioner for Trade, attended the Dialogue.

  1. Opening Remarks
    1. At the outset, Executive Vice President Dombrovskis offered his congratulations on the 60th anniversary of Japan’s accession to the OECD. He reviewed the progress made since the previous Dialogue, including the signing of the Protocol amending the Agreement between Japan and the European Union for an Economic Partnership (Japan-EU EPA) regarding the free flow of data.
    2. The Ministers and the Executive Vice-President confirmed the issuance of a Joint Press Statement (PDF)Open a New Window that included the launch of the " Transparent, Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains Initiative” and the maintenance and strengthening of the international rules-based trading system with the WTO at its core.
    3. Minister Kamikawa stated that she hopes to have a candid exchange of views on urgent issues related to the Japanese-EU economies. She explained that the Japan’s Diet had approved the Protocol amending the Japan-EU EPA regarding the free flow of data. Both sides concurred to continue to work together towards the early entry into force of the Protocol.
  2. Economic Security and "Transparent, Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains"
    1. The Ministers and the Executive Vice-President exchanged views on Japan and the EU's respective initiatives regarding economic security. They reaffirmed the importance of cooperation between like-minded countries, including Japan and the EU.
    2. They also concurred to continue to work together to address strategic dependencies and systemic vulnerabilities and ensure resilient and reliable global supply chains through the application of the principles of transparency, diversification, security, sustainability, trustworthiness and reliability under the "Transparent, Resilient and Sustainable Supply Chains Initiative.”
  3. WTO
    The Ministers and the Executive Vice-President concurred on the need to work actively on issues such as strengthening the free trade system with the WTO at its core based on the results of the 13th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC13). They reaffirmed that Japan and the EU will continue to work together in areas such as dispute settlement (DS) reform, fisheries subsidy negotiations, and negotiations on e-commerce.
  4. EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR)
    Regarding the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), Minister Kamikawa strongly requested the EU to take appropriate measures to ensure that the regulation do not cause a negative impact on the Japan-EU economic relations.
    In response, Executive Vice President Dombrovskis stated that the EU will continue discussion with partners, while expecting the advance of technology.
  5. Conclusion
    Minister Kamikawa stated that the Dialogue was a meaningful opportunity to discuss cooperation and future policies between Japan and the EU. The Ministers and the Executive Vice-President reaffirmed that Japan and the EU will continue to work closely together.

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