ID :
86784
Thu, 10/29/2009 - 23:06
Auther :
Shortlink :
https://oananews.org//node/86784
The shortlink copeid
Japan, New Zealand agree to boost trade, but remain apart on FTA+
TOKYO, Oct. 29 Kyodo -
Japan and New Zealand agreed Thursday to boost trade between the two countries,
but Tokyo remained cautious about sealing a bilateral free trade agreement over
concerns about agricultural imports.
In summit talks in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and his New
Zealand counterpart John Key recognized the need to set ambitious targets on
cutting greenhouse gas emissions for the upcoming climate change conference in
Copenhagen in December, a joint press statement said.
The two leaders only made cursory remarks on regional bloc initiatives -- one
of which is advocated by Hatoyama as an ''East Asian community'' -- in
connection with the efforts to strengthen a bilateral economic partnership, a
Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.
In the roughly 45-minute meeting, Hatoyama said his new government takes the
stance that Japan should consider forging free trade agreements and economic
partnership accords with other countries, but that with regard to New Zealand
concerns remain about agricultural imports.
''It is a fact that there are domestically sensitive items, such as dairy
products and beef, and I understand that they make up a large share (of imports
from New Zealand),'' Hatoyama was quoted by the official as saying.
Conceding that he too sees a sensitive aspect to the issue, Key stressed that
farm products from his country do not necessarily pose threats to Japan's
agricultural sector, according to the official.
In connection with climate change, Key called for Japan's support for his
country's initiative to create a ''Global Alliance'' on agricultural greenhouse
gas research, noting that roughly half of New Zealand's carbon dioxide
emissions come from agriculture.
Hatoyama said Japan supports the initiative, saying that Tokyo can help with
that effort because it has technological and human resources.
With Japan targeting a cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020
from 1990 levels, Hatoyama said, ''It's important to send the right message at
the Copenhagen conference in December, and I want to make efforts together
(with New Zealand).''
On Wednesday, Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and his New Zealand
counterpart Murray McCully signed an agreement to promote cooperation in
science and technology between the two countries.
Key, along with McCully, is making a six-day visit to Japan through Sunday.
==Kyodo
2009-10-29 22:58:20
Japan and New Zealand agreed Thursday to boost trade between the two countries,
but Tokyo remained cautious about sealing a bilateral free trade agreement over
concerns about agricultural imports.
In summit talks in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and his New
Zealand counterpart John Key recognized the need to set ambitious targets on
cutting greenhouse gas emissions for the upcoming climate change conference in
Copenhagen in December, a joint press statement said.
The two leaders only made cursory remarks on regional bloc initiatives -- one
of which is advocated by Hatoyama as an ''East Asian community'' -- in
connection with the efforts to strengthen a bilateral economic partnership, a
Japanese Foreign Ministry official said.
In the roughly 45-minute meeting, Hatoyama said his new government takes the
stance that Japan should consider forging free trade agreements and economic
partnership accords with other countries, but that with regard to New Zealand
concerns remain about agricultural imports.
''It is a fact that there are domestically sensitive items, such as dairy
products and beef, and I understand that they make up a large share (of imports
from New Zealand),'' Hatoyama was quoted by the official as saying.
Conceding that he too sees a sensitive aspect to the issue, Key stressed that
farm products from his country do not necessarily pose threats to Japan's
agricultural sector, according to the official.
In connection with climate change, Key called for Japan's support for his
country's initiative to create a ''Global Alliance'' on agricultural greenhouse
gas research, noting that roughly half of New Zealand's carbon dioxide
emissions come from agriculture.
Hatoyama said Japan supports the initiative, saying that Tokyo can help with
that effort because it has technological and human resources.
With Japan targeting a cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2020
from 1990 levels, Hatoyama said, ''It's important to send the right message at
the Copenhagen conference in December, and I want to make efforts together
(with New Zealand).''
On Wednesday, Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada and his New Zealand
counterpart Murray McCully signed an agreement to promote cooperation in
science and technology between the two countries.
Key, along with McCully, is making a six-day visit to Japan through Sunday.
==Kyodo
2009-10-29 22:58:20
