Joint Press Statement on the Inaugural Meeting of
Japan-Thailand Joint Committee on Economic Partnership

Tokyo, 1 November 2007

1. In accordance with Article 13 of the Agreement between Japan and the Kingdom of Thailand for an Economic Partnership signed on 3 April 2007 (hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement"), the Inaugural Meeting of the Japan-Thailand Joint Committee on Economic Partnership was convened in Tokyo on 1 November 2007, when the Agreement entered into force.
2. The Japanese side was led by His Excellency Mr. Masahiko Koumura, Minister for Foreign Affairs. He was accompanied by Mr. Otohiko Endo, Senior Vice-Minister of Finance; Mr. Masahiro Imamura, Senior Vice-Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; and Ms. Kanae Yamamoto, Vice Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry. The Thai side was led by His Excellency Mr. Nitya Pibulsonggram, Minister of Foreign Affairs. He was accompanied by His Excellency Mr. Chalongphob Sussangkarn, Minister of Finance.
3. The Ministers of both countries reaffirmed the importance of the effective implementation of the Agreement. They shared the view that the Agreement would contribute toward enhancing the cross-border trade in goods and services, facilitating movement of natural persons, creating new opportunities for investment, improving business environment, facilitating mutual recognition, protecting intellectual property, and facilitating bilateral cooperation in the fields of mutual interest. The Ministers emphasised that, with the entry into force of the Agreement, both countries would be able to make the most of their economic complementarities and to further promote the development of their respective economies.
4. The Ministers expressed their hope that the private sectors of both countries would further explore new trade and investment opportunities on this occasion of the entry into force of the Agreement, enhance competitiveness in various fields, and encourage closer economic ties among the private sectors of both countries. Recognising vibrant transnational activities conducted by the private sectors of both countries and the geographical position of the two countries in the Asian region, they expected that the Agreement would produce positive effects on the economic and social development of the emerging markets in the region. The enhanced and comprehensive activities to be further developed among the private sectors would then play the pivotal role in promoting mutually complementary partnership and bring about prosperity to the peoples of both countries.
5. In the Meeting, the Operational Procedures were adopted, and the Lists for the Purpose of Transparency concerning Trade in Services were exchanged, in accordance with Article 24 and Article 82 of the Agreement respectively, both of which are necessary procedures for the implementation of the Agreement.
6. The Meeting confirmed the following issues under the Agreement:
   • 6.1 Rules of Origin
     
     The Meeting decided in principle to commence consultations at the earliest opportunity, to convert Annex 2 (Product Specific Rules for Rules of Origin) referred to in Chapter 3 of the Agreement, to HS2007 version while pursuing its possible simplification. In this regard, the Meeting decided to establish a Sub-Committee on Rules of Origin and to convene its first meeting before the end of March 2008. The Sub-Committee on Rules of Origin would be co-chaired by officials at director level, or at any level deemed appropriate.
   • 6.2 Trade in Services: Emergency Safeguard Measures
     
     The Meeting decided to establish a Sub-Committee on Trade in Services and to convene its first meeting before the end of April 2008 with a view to consulting further on issues regarding Emergency Safeguard Measures under Article 84 of the Agreement. In this regard, both sides decided that the Sub-Committee on Trade in Services would be co-chaired by officials at director level, or at any level deemed appropriate.
   • 6.3 Movement of Natural Persons
     
     The Meeting decided to establish a Sub-Committee on Movement of Natural Persons and to convene its first meeting before the end of June 2008 with a view to consulting on various provisions under Chapter 9 of the Agreement. In this regard, both sides decided that the Sub-Committee on Movement of Natural Persons would be co-chaired by officials at director level, or at any level deemed appropriate.
   • 6.4 Paperless Trading
     
     The Meeting decided to establish a Sub-Committee on Paperless Trading and to convene its first meeting before the end of September 2008 with a view to promoting paperless trading under Chapter 5 of the Agreement. In this regard, both sides decided that the Sub-Committee on Paperless Trading would be co-chaired by officials at director level, or at any level deemed appropriate.
   • 6.5 Other Sub-Committees and Special Sub-Committees under the Agreement
     
     The Meeting decided to discuss further possible timeframes for the establishment of the remaining Sub-Committees and Special Sub-Committees under various Chapters of the Agreement at the Second Meeting of the Joint Committee. The establishment of other Sub-Committees and Special Sub-Committees will serve to provide appropriate mechanisms and to enhance cooperation in all fields with a view to continuing discussions on issues that may arise after the entry into force of the Agreement.
7. The Meeting decided that the Second Meeting of the Japan-Thailand Joint Committee on Economic Partnership would be convened in Thailand before the end of 2008. The Meeting also suggested that the Second Meeting be co-chaired by an official at deputy permanent secretary level on the Thai side and an official at deputy minister level on the Japanese side, unless both sides agree otherwise.

Tokyo, 1 November 2007.