Summary of the 7th Round of Negotiations on the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement

October 31, 2008
Japanese

1. The 7th round of negotiations on the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was held from October 27 (Mon) to 31 (Fri) in Canberra.
2. In this round, Mr. Masaharu Kohno, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, as chief negotiator, and other officials from relevant ministries of Japan, and Mr. David Spencer, Deputy Secretary, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, as chief negotiator, and other officials from relevant departments of Australia respectively participated.
3. In this round, useful discussions were held in each area including trade in goods and services, investment, intellectual property, government procurement, energy and mineral resources, and food supply. A summary of the discussion is as follows:
   • (1) In respect of market access of trade in goods, both sides had discussions on their concerns based on the content of requests and offers that had been exchanged at the 4th Round of Negotiations. Regarding primary products, discussions on sugar were held. The Japanese side explained sensitivity regarding the product and argued for the necessity of the present border measures. Regarding industrial products, the Japanese side requested the Australian side to improve its offer on items of concern for the Japanese side.
   • (2) In respect of trade in services and investment, both sides continued discussions on the draft texts and talked about mutual interests in the requests.
   • (3) In respect of energy and mineral resources, the Japanese side received Australia's feedback on the Japan's draft text, and both sides discussed further based on the draft text.
   • (4) In respect of food supply, both sides continued discussions on what sort of measures could be examined to ensure a stable supply of food.
4. The 8th round of negotiations will be held in Tokyo around next February, 2009. The detailed schedule will be determined through diplomatic channels.