Japan and Belgium agreed Thursday to work together at a fresh round of World Trade Organization talks designed to dismantle global trade barriers.
The agreement was made during a meeting in Tokyo between Belgium's Prime Minister Guy Verhofstadt, whose country assumes the rotating presidency of the European Union in July, and his Japanese counterpart Yoshiro Mori.
"Through close consultations, they will promote the development of common positions for the launch in 2001 of a new round of mulitlateral trade negotiations," the two leaders said in their joint statement.
Japan and the EU have confronted the United States over farm subsidies and other key issues, seen as major factors in the failure in Seattle in 1999 of a World Trade Organization bid to fix an agenda for the planed new round.
Verhofstadt arrived in Tokyo on Wednesday for a six-day visit to Japan, which also includes an audience with Emperor Akihito and the signing of several contracts involving Belgian companies.
During the meeting the Japanese and Belgian premiers also agreed to ensure food safety.
"Both Japan and Belgian people are highly aware of the necessity of ensuring food safety," the statement said.
"The competent authorities of the two countries will exchange when necessary their expertise and information on public health, including food safety," it said.
Both countries have been hit by recent food health scares. Japan had an e-coli food poisoning scare involving Snow Brand dairy firm last year and in 1999 Belgium had to cope with dioxin contaminated chicken feed.
The two leaders also agreed to step up efforts to boost investment between their countries.
"The prime ministers shared the common view on the importance of improving the business environment for mutual trade and investment," the statement said.
The Belgian premier underscored his support for Tokyo's bid to gain a permanent seat on the UN Security Council, which currently comprises Britain, China, France, Russia and the United States, it said – TOKYO (AFP)
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