1. Ambition and comprehensiveness: Making the FTA a success
Hearing on the Role of Civil Society in the EU-Japan FTA:
European Stakeholders' Perspectives
Brussels, 15 January 2014
Erik Bergelin
Chairman
BUSINESSEUROPE Japan network
15 January 2014

2. Why an FTA? Japan: EU’s 7th largest trading partner
EU: Japan’s 3rd largest trade partner
Similar approaches towards business
Close political allies
But as well:
Both sides trading below their possibilities
Japan continues to be considered as a closed and very challenging market
15 January 2014

3. What are the major challenges?
Regulatory divergence and non-tariff barriers (different product standards, double-testing requirements, etc.)
Obstacles to investment (e.g. limitations of foreign participation in services)
Restricted access to procurement
Some doubts if regulatory reform can be really achieved  EU review clause after one year.
Strong local traditions in the Japanese business environment
15 January 2014

4. Why did bilateral dialogues not deliver?
Lack of political will and leadership
Strong role of individual ministries and regulatory bodies, showing little willingness to change
Disagreements over technical details in specific areas
Focus on emerging markets by both the EU and Japan, and correspondingly a lack of mutual interest
15 January 2014

5. What must be the focus of the FTA?
Not just paper concessions but specific, substantive, measurable, and non-discriminatory market access commitments
Elimination of non-tariff barriers
Removal of obstacles particularly in the areas of services, investment, competition and IPR
Comparable and effective market access in public procurement
Parallelism between tariff reductions and elimination of NTBs
15 January 2014

6. What do we want to achieve?
Trade negotiations should be conducted in transparent manner and close cooperation with civil society
Comprehensive and ambitious agreement with the resolution of all issues of significant economic interest to either party
Close alignment between EU-Japan FTA, TTIP and TPP – for instance on standards and conformity assessment
15 January 2014

7. Thank you!