4th EU-Japan sector-to-sector dialogue in Brussels

European and Japanese sector associations met on 22 April to assess what has been achieved so far in addressing non-tariff barriers (NTBs) in their sectors and what challenges lay ahead. Removing NTBs is an important part of the ongoing EU-Japan free-trade agreement (FTA) negotiations. BUSINESSEUROPE Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: 'This agreement is a unique opportunity to address long-standing barriers improving the business environment in particular for small and medium-sized enterprises. It is important for it to be a ‘living agreement’ ensuring regulatory cooperation will continue once negotiations are concluded.' BUSINESSEUROPE and KEIDANREN released a joint statement about their views on the ongoing EU-Japan FTA negotiations and the role of regulatory cooperation within the agreement.