Prime Minister Shinzo Abe received a courtesy call at the Prime Minister's Office from Mr. Hiromasa Yonekura, Japanese Co-Chairman, Mr. Fabrice Bregier, EU Co-Chairman, and Mr. Kazuo Tsukuda, new Japanese Co-Chairman of the EU-Japan Business Round Table (BRT).
At the outset, Japanese Co-Chairman Yonekura and EU Co-Chairman Bregier submitted a proposal.

The Prime Minister said in his address,

"I believe that meaningful discussions were conducted on strengthening the Japan-EU economic relationship during the BRT Annual Meeting.
You have just given me the outcome of your discussions in the form of a 'joint declaration.' I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to Co-Chairman Yonekura, Co-Chairman Bregier, and next Co-Chairman Tsukuda for your work in compiling this joint declaration.
The Abe administration attaches great importance to economic partnership agreements (EPAs). In particular, concluding the Japan-EU EPA is vital for the growth of Japan and the growth strategy of the Abe administration, and this is significant for the Japanese and EU economies. 
While also drawing upon this joint declaration that I have just received, the Abe Cabinet will make every effort to conclude this EPA, ensuring that it is beneficial for both Japan and the EU, and that it contributes to the interests and growth of both sides.
I would like to conclude my remarks by thanking everyone for their contributions to compiling this joint declaration. Thank you very much."