EU-Japan: A Partnership of Renewed Importance. EU Centre Background, Brief 20th July 2018

de Esperanza Picardo, Christina (2018) EU-Japan: A Partnership of Renewed Importance. EU Centre Background, Brief 20th July 2018. [Policy Paper]

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Abstract

This background brief explores the prospect of a stronger European Union’s (EU) economic and political leverage in the Asia Pacific region through the analysis of EU-Japan relations. The paper delves into the main drivers and implications of the two bilateral treaties recently concluded between the EU and Japan, the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) and Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA). The political environment that surrounded the agreements is deeply marked by crisis and uncertainty. However, this paper develops the view that increased bilateral cooperation between the EU and Japan offers opportunities for the EU to boost its presence in Asia as well as increases both parties’ ability to face new challenges and adapt to a fast-changing international system.

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