Simultaneous announcement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

The governments of Japan and Mongolia will hold the first joint public-private study group on the Japan-Mongolia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).

1. The governments of Japan and Mongolia have agreed to launch a joint public-private study on an EPA. The first meeting will be held in Ulan Bator on June 24 (Thu.) and 25 (Fri.) with the attendance of experts from industry, academia and the governments of both countries.

2. During the first meeting, the experts will exchange views on topics such as bilateral economic relations and potential items to be included in the EPA.

(For reference) Both governments agreed to discuss the launch of a joint public-private study group on an EPA during the visit to Japan of Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Gombojav Zandanshatar in December last year. Subsequently, inter-governmental working-level talks were held in Ulan Bator in January 2010. In accordance with the results of the talks, the Japanese government has been making arrangements with the Mongolian side through diplomatic channels for the commencement of a joint study in the first half of 2010.

June 21, 2010

Northeast Asia Division, Trade Policy Bureau