Decision to publish EU-Japan trade negotiating directives

Background and further information:

The mandate to start trade negotiations with Japan was given by the Council to the European Commission in 2012.

Both parties reached an agreement in principle on the main elements of a free trade deal at the EU-Japan summit of July 2017. Work proceeded afterwards to address remaining open issues and finalise the legal text.

The decision to have the negotiating directives made public was made during a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council.

The Council of the European Union decided on 14 September 2017 to make public the directives given to the European Commission to negotiate a trade deal with Japan.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: EU - Japan Free Trade Agreement. A new EU trade agreement with Japan. Factsheet, July 2017 http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-japan-free-trade-agreement-a-new-eu-trade-agreement-with-japan-factsheet-july-2017/

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