Colombia's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism announced on 31 August a policy of reactivating economic partnership agreement (EPA) negotiations with Japan and seeking their conclusion. The newly inaugurated President De la Espriella's desire to strengthen ties coincides with moves on Japan's side to resume discussions.
Colombia's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism announced a policy of reactivating negotiations for an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with Japan, which began in 2012, and seeking their conclusion. The talks had been viewed as stagnant, but developments were expected to move in a positive direction.
Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu (茂木 敏充) and Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism Gómez met during their visits to Japan and agreed to reactivate the EPA negotiations.
In a speech on 30 August, President De la Espriella emphasized the achievement of taking a step toward breaking the deadlock and expressed hopes for increased investment by Japanese companies.