Press Releases
Third round of negotiations after the resumption of negotiations for Japan-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
May 21, 2026
From May 18 to 21, the third round of negotiations after the resumption of negotiations was held for Japan-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) in virtual format.
- The meeting was attended, from the Japanese side, by Mr. TAKAHASHI Katsuhiko, Ambassador for International Economic Affairs and Chief Negotiator, along with representatives from relevant ministries. From the GCC side, H.E. Dr. Raja Al Marzoqi, GCC Chief Negotiator along with representatives from the GCC member states attended the meeting.
- During this round, the two sides held active discussions on the modality of negotiations as well as on Trade in Goods, Rules of Origin, Trade in Services, Customs Procedures and Trade Facilitation, Digital Trade, Competition, Intellectual Property, and other areas.
- Both sides concurred to coordinate the dates of the fourth round of negotiations through diplomatic channel.