Joint Press Release of Japan and the Republic of Chile on the Initiation of Negotiations for establishing the Japan-Chile Economic Partnership Agreement

November 18th, 2005
Busan, Korea

1. The Prime Minister of Japan, Mr. Junichiro KOIZUMI, and the President of the Republic of Chile, Mr. Ricardo LAGOS Escobar, held a meeting in Busan, Korea, on November 18th, 2005, where the two leaders discussed the importance of further strengthening the economic partnership between Japan and Chile.
2. Recalling that the Joint Study Group, comprised of individuals from business, academic and government circles, was established on the basis of their decision on November 22nd, 2004, in order to comprehensively study the possibility of concluding a Japan-Chile Economic Partnership Agreement / Free Trade Agreement, the two leaders highly appreciated that the Joint Study Group had active discussions on the theme in the four meetings and submitted the Report of the Joint Study Group to both leaders.
3. Taking into account the recommendation of the Report and convinced that a Japan-Chile Economic Partnership Agreement will contribute to further development of close economic relationship in a broad range of areas between both countries, the two leaders decided to launch negotiations to conclude an Economic Partnership Agreement between Japan and Chile. Based on the outcome of discussions in the Joint Study Group, the two leaders also agreed that both countries would conduct the negotiations constructively, positively and with flexibility.