The European Parliament adopted by 474 votes to 152, with 40 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision 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.

The European Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement, which aims to strengthen cooperation and dialogue on a wide range of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues.

In parallel, it adopted a non-legislative resolution on the draft decision.

The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the report by Alojz PETERLE (EPP, SI) on the draft Council decision 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.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

The purpose of the agreement 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.

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.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the Council can adopt the act only if the European Parliament has approved it.

BACKGROUND: the EU and Japan have a history of extensive political, economic and sectoral cooperation, which has evolved with time. Building on shared fundamental values, the EU established a Strategic Partnership with Japan in 2001.

On 29 November 2012, the Council adopted a Decision authorising the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to negotiate a framework agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Japan, of the other part. The negotiations began in April 2013 and were concluded in April 2018.

The Strategic Partnership Agreement signed between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Japan, on the other hand subject to its conclusion at a later date, must now be approved.

CONTENT: the draft Council decision aims to approve, 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.

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.

PURPOSE: to conclude the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States and Japan.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the EU and Japan have a history of extensive political, economic and sectoral cooperation, which has evolved with time. Building on shared fundamental values, the EU established a Strategic Partnership with Japan in 2001.

On 29 November 2012, the Council adopted a Decision authorising the European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy to negotiate a framework agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Japan, of the other part. These negotiations began in April 2013 and were concluded in April 2018.

Following the adoption of the Council Decision on the signing and provisional application of the Strategic Partnership Agreement, the Agreement was signed.

The High Representative and the Commission considered that the objectives set by the Council in its directives on the negotiation of the Agreement have been met and that the Agreement can be submitted for conclusion.

The present joint proposal concerns the legal instrument concluding the Agreement.

CONTENT: this draft Council Decision seeks to approve, on behalf of the Union, the Strategic Partnership Agreement between the European Union and its Member States, of the one part, and Japan, of the other part.

This Agreement is the first-ever bilateral framework agreement between the EU and Japan. It will provide a legal foundation for improving bilateral cooperation and cooperation in international and regional organisations and fora.

The Strategic Partnership Agreement and the Economic Partnership Agreement are part of one negotiating context and have a clear legal link. Together, they are expected to provide tangible benefits and opportunities to the people of the EU and Japan.

The Strategic Partnership Agreement aims to strengthen 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.

A Joint Committee shall be established with the objective of coordinating the overall partnership which is built upon this Agreement.