European Council and European Commission presidents meet with Japanese Prime Minister

Japan's Prime Minister met on 21 March 2017 with the European Council and European Commission presidents. This was seen as an opportunity to push ahead and deepen the bilateral relations.

The remarks published by the European Council president highlight the willingness to provide a clear political direction to the negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a Strategic Partnership Agreement between Japan and the European Union.

ESO: Background information: Commissioner Malmström and Japan's Minister of Foreign Affairs confirm commitment for an early conclusion of EU-Japan FTA negotiations http://www.europeansources.info/record/commissioner-malmstrom-and-japans-minister-of-foreign-affairs-confirm-commitment-for-an-early-conclusion-of-eu-japan-fta-negotiations/

Politico, 22.03.17: EU reaches for the rising sun http://www.politico.eu/article/eu-japan-trade-trump-agriculture-news-brussels-shinzo-abe/

Reuters, 21.03.17: EU's Tusk says committed to complete trade agreement with Japan very soon http://www.reuters.com/article/us-eu-japan-trade-idUSKBN16S17Y

Euronews, 21.03.17: EU and Japan set sights on new trade and political pact http://www.euronews.com/2017/03/21/eu-and-japan-set-sights-on-new-trade-and-political-pact

EurActiv, 21.03.17: EU, Japan determined to deliver trade deal by end of 2017 http://www.euractiv.com/section/economy-jobs/news/eu-japan-determined-to-deliver-trade-deal-by-end-of-2017/

The Japan Times, 21.03.17: Japan PM, in Brussels, pushes EU trade deal http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2017/03/21/business/japan-pm-brussels-pushes-eu-trade-deal/

Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 24.03.17: Europe Woos Japan http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/68385?lang=en

European Commission: DG Trade: Policy: Countries and regions: Japan http://ec.europa.eu/trade/policy/countries-and-regions/countries/japan/

Japan: Mission of Japan to the EU http://www.eu.emb-japan.go.jp/itprtop_en/index.html

Japan: Prime Minister: Prime Minister in Action: Japan: Visit to Europe March 2017 http://japan.kantei.go.jp/97_abe/actions/201703/21article1.html

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