TOKYO, Aug 30 (AFP): Japan and the European Union will launch talks next month to enhance economic cooperation in the first step to a long-shot possibility of a free trade deal, officials said yesterday.
The two major economic blocs are both highly sensitive about agriculture, an issue that has led to the collapse of talks under the World Trade Organisation.
"Japan has to consider various deals including an economic partnership agreement with the EU," Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said.
"I've kept saying Japan has to have an innovative and open attitude so as to maintain economic growth with its shrinking population," Abe told reporters after talks with visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel.
Japan, EU to launch talks on economic deal
FE Team | Published: August 31, 2007 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00
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