EU/Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement

PURPOSE: to conclude, on behalf of the European Union, the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Japan, of the other part.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision (EU) 2024/1394 on the conclusion, on behalf of the European Union, of the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Japan, of the other part.

CONTENT: under this Decision, the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA) between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Japan, of the other part is hereby approved on behalf of the European Union.

The new Strategic Partnership Agreement is the first-ever bilateral framework agreement between the EU and Japan. It intends to lay the foundation for increased consultation and coordination in multilateral fora. Its purpose is to strengthen the overall partnership between the Parties by promoting political and sectoral cooperation and joint actions on issues of common interest, including regional and global challenges. The Agreement will contribute to the promotion of shared values and principles, in particular democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms. It will serve as a platform for closer cooperation and dialogue on a wide range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.

The Agreement aims to:

- strengthen the overall partnership by promoting political and sectoral cooperation and joint actions on issues of common interest, including on regional and global challenges;

- provide a legal foundation for improving bilateral cooperation and cooperation in international and regional organisations and fora. It will help promote shared values and principles, in particular democracy, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms;

- serve as a platform for closer cooperation and dialogue across a broad range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues. It strengthens political, economic and sectoral cooperation across a wide spectrum of policy fields, such as climate change, research and innovation, maritime affairs, education, culture, migration, counter-terrorism and the fight against organised crime and cybercrime.

In addition, the Agreement:

- restates the Parties’ commitment to safeguard international peace and security by preventing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and by taking measures to deal with the illicit trade in small arms and light weapons;

- establishes a Joint Committee with the objective of coordinating the overall partnership which is built upon the Agreement. The High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy shall co-chair the Joint Committee;

- provides for the possibility of suspending its application if there is a violation of essential elements of the Agreement, i.e. the human rights clause and the non-proliferation clause.

Lastly, the SPA will provide for a joint committee to coordinate the overall partnership providing a forum to discuss all the issues covered in the agreement, and a dispute settlement procedure.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 22.04.2024.