EU, Japan Issue Joint Statement On Free Trade Agreement
The leaders of Japan, the European Union (EU), France, Germany, Italy, and the UK have reaffirmed their commitment to reach an agreement in principle on an EU-Japan free trade agreement (FTA) “as early as possible in 2016.”
The commitment was announced in a joint statement, issued in the margins of the G7 Summit in Japan. The leaders said they had instructed their respective negotiators to accelerate negotiations, which began in March 2013.
“With our full backing, the negotiators are entrusted to make the efforts necessary in the coming months to move forward with the negotiations, paving the way for reaching [an] agreement encompassing all key issues including all types of tariffs and non-tariff measures, in line with the [agreed] timetable,” the statement said.
The statement added that negotiations would be carried out “in a constructive manner, based on mutual trust,” with the aim of reaching “a comprehensive, high-level, and balanced agreement which further consolidates our solid trade and economic partnership.”
Source: Tax News
