Abe, Juncker Reaffirm Early Effectuation of Japan-EU EPA

October 19, 2018

Brussels- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker agreed Thursday to accelerate efforts for putting an economic partnership agreement between Japan and the European Union into effect at an early date.

Meeting at the EU headquarters in Brussels, they affirmed that Japan and the EU will aim to complete by year-end their respective procedures needed for the effectuation of the EPA, which was signed in July.

The two leaders also confirmed that Japan and the EU will cooperate in implementing reforms of the World Trade Organization, including the strengthening of the Geneva-based trade watchdog's supervisory function.

Juncker explained that EU leaders failed to conclude negotiations related to Britain's planned exit from the EU, or Brexit, at their two-day meeting through Thursday.

Expressing concerns about the course of the Brexit talks, Abe underscored that it is indispensable to secure legal stability over Brexit by setting a transition period in order to minimize negative effects on Japanese companies operating in Britain.

The Japanese leader thus indicated support for the idea of extending, from the currently planned 21 months, the transition period to be set after Britain's departure from the EU slated for March 2019. The extension is being considered by Britain and the EU.

Later on Thursday, Abe met with German Chancellor Angela Merkel. They confirmed the importance of the multilateral trade system in which the WTO plays a major role and the rules-based international trade system.

They agreed to work on arranging a visit to Japan by Merkel.

Abe and Merkel also discussed issues related to North Korea, confirming the need to steadily implement U.N. Security Council sanctions resolutions against Pyongyang.

Abe asked for Germany's cooperation for an early resolution of the issue of Japanese nationals abducted by North Korea decades ago. Merkel agreed.

Abe is on the final leg of a three-nation European tour that also took him to Spain and France. He is set to return home from the five-day trip on Saturday. Jiji Press