(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Leaders from Japan and the European Union (EU) on Friday agreed to accelerate talks on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), reaffirming the importance of the early conclusion of the negotiations.
At an annual Japan-EU summit in Tokyo, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, European Council President Donald Tusk and European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker shared the view that the both sides will aim to reach the agreement by the end of 2015, according to a joint press statement released after their meeting.
"We agreed to further accelerate the Japan-EU FTA negotiations to reach a basic agreement within this year while stressing both the speed and quality," Abe told a joint press conference.
The three also leaders also expressed grave concern over the deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Syria and reaffirmed that only a Syrian-led inclusive political transition can put an end to the conflict, the statement said.
"We call on all Syrian parties to show commitment to a political process, which must be accompanied by confidence building measures," they said. Abe, Tusk and Juncker affirmed their commitment to continue their support for Iraq to defeat ISIL.
In response to the deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation in Yemen, they urged all parties to commit to the restart of a comprehensive political transition process through the UN-led negotiations and without resorting to violence.
Amid China's growing maritime assertiveness around disputed islands in the East and South China seas, the leaders voiced concern about rising territorial tensions there, saying, "We continue to observe the situation in the East and South China Sea and are concerned by any unilateral actions that change the status quo and increase tensions," according to the statement.
"We underline the need for all parties to seek peaceful, and cooperative solutions to maritime claims and to maintain full freedom of navigation and overflight of the high seas under international law as enshrined in the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea." Speaking at a press conference, Tusk said, "We agreed disputes must be resolved peacefully and in accordance with international law." As for the situation in Ukraine, they said Japan and the European Union remain determined never to recognize the illegal annexation of Crimea by Russia, and vowed continued support to the Ukraine government to advance its reforms, aimed at strengthening and modernizing Ukraine.
"We call on all sides to fully implement their commitment under the Minsk agreements to solve the conflict in Ukraine peacefully, respecting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity," he said.
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