Joint Release with the Ministry of Foreign AffairsThe Working Level Meeting on the Preparation for the Launch of China-Japan-Korea FTA

1. At the Japan-China-ROK Trilateral Summit Meeting held in Beijing on May 13, a conclusion was reached among the leaders of the three countries that China-Japan-Korea FTA negotiations should be launched within this year, and that the three countries should immediately start preparation work, including domestic procedures and working level consultations. Following such meeting, the working level meeting was held as a part of the preparation work participated by the working level officials of the three countries.
2. The participants of the meeting were Mr. Keiya Iida, Deputy Director-General for Trade Policy, Trade Policy Bureau of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and other officials in charge at related ministries from Japan. Also from China and the Republic of Korea (ROK), government officials represented by Mr. Sun Yuanjiang, Deputy Director General of the Department of International Trade and Economic Affairs, the Ministry of Commerce of China, and government officials represented by Mr. Kim Young Moo, Director-General of FTA Policy Bureau, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of the ROK participated in the meeting. The participants discussed arrangements for the future preparation work, including the domestic procedure, the scheme of the China-Japan-Korea FTA negotiation as well as other matters.

June 20, 2012

Northeast Asia Division and Economic Partnership Division, Trade Policy Bureau