Japan and the European Union on Monday reaffirmed that they will cooperate in bringing their negotiations on a free trade agreement to an early conclusion.
"In order for both Japan and the European Union to gain the fruits of growth, it is vital (the two sides) ensure an early conclusion of Japan-EU FTA negotiations," Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida said in a meeting with EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht in Tokyo, part of which was open to journalists. De Gucht said he hopes the meeting will "give a boost" to the negotiations.
The talks precede the Japan-EU summit set for Tuesday in Tokyo.
