Press Release

Fourth Round of the Negotiations
on the Japan-Chile Economic Partnership Agreement

September 4, 2006

1. The fourth round of the negotiations on the Japan-Chile Economic Partnership Agreement (JCEPA) was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile in Santiago on August 28th-September 1st, 2006.
2. From the Japanese side, representatives of ministries concerned headed by Mr. Seiichi KONDO, Ambassador to UNESCO (former Ambassador for International Trade and Economic Relations), and, from the Chilean side, representatives of ministries concerned headed by Mr. Carlos FURCHE, Vice Minister for International Economic Relations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, respectively participated in the negotiations.
3. In this round of the negotiations, the discussions were held as follows:
   • (a) The two delegations discussed the draft texts on all negotiating areas including Trade in Goods, Trade in Services and Investment, based on the results achieved so far in the previous negotiations. Good progress was made in various areas.
   • (b) Regarding Market Access on Trade in Goods, clarification was sought on specific products of respective interest and both sides had better understanding of each other's position.
4. It was decided that the 5th round of the negotiations would be held in the first half of November in Tokyo, Japan; until the next round, both sides should continue their efforts to achieve further progress in the negotiations by holding intersessional meetings or other appropriate means.