The 1st Round of Negotiations for Japan-Peru Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA)
May 30, 2009
The 1st Round of Negotiations for Japan-Peru Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) was held from May 25 (Mon) to 30 (Sat) in Lima.
From Japan, Mr. Yasuo Tanabe, Deputy Director-General of the Economic Affairs Bureau, attended the meeting along with representatives from other relevant ministries. From Peru, Mr. Nathan Nadramija, Director-General for Asia-Oceania Bilateral Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Tourism, attended the meeting along with representatives from other relevant agencies.
In this round of the negotiations, the discussions were held as follows:
- (a) Both sides discussed the draft texts on a broad range of negotiating areas including trade in goods and services, rules of origin, custom procedures, entry and temporary stay of nationals for business purposes, competition policy, government procurement, general and final provisions, dispute settlement and cooperation. Good progress was made in every area.
- (b) Regarding Market Access on trade in goods which constitute the core part of this Agreement, an intensive talk was held at the level of the head of delegation, and both sides agreed on the modalities of negotiations. Both sides decided to accelerate the process towards next round.
Besides the negotiations, an opening ceremony for launching the EPA negotiations was held on 27 May, with the presence of H. E. Mr. Ferreyros, Vice-Minister for Foreign Trade, and H. E. Mr. Megata, Ambassador of Japan in Peru.
The meeting was held in a very cordial atmosphere befitting the close and friendly relations that exist between the two countries. The Japanese delegation expressed their sincere gratitude to the Peruvian counterpart for the warm and special hospitality extended to them during their stay in Lima.
Both sides decided to hold the next round of negotiations tentatively during the week of July 6th, in Tokyo.
(Reference) Background
A preparatory meeting was held in Tokyo on March 23-25, 2009 in which a common understanding with regard to the stance of both sides towards a possible EPA was fostered. Based on the results of this meeting, launching of EPA negotiations was officially decided by a telephone conversation held between Prime Minister Taro Aso and President Alan García on April 14, 2009.
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