Joint Statement― The 24th Japan― irurkey Joint Business Conllllittee―
19 September 2018,Istanbul

On 19 September 2018,the Foreign Economic Relations Board of Turkey("DEIKtt hereinaier)and Japan Business Federation("Keidanren" hereinafteo CO‐ Organised the 24th Japan― Turkey
Joint Business Commttee("Joillt CommitteeW hereinafter)in lstallbul,which was held forthe arst

timeintllreeyearssincethelastjointcommitteetookplaceinNovember2015inTokyo.
In the Joint Comr五 ttee,both parties had lively discussions over a variety of issues such as thedevelopment of business environment, the creation of mutually―

beneacial partnership, andconcrete lneasures towards deepening and broadening the bilateral econo■ lic relations.

Amid mounting trend towards anti― giobalisation and protectionism, DEIK and Keidanren
welcomed the signing ofhigh… standard and comprehensive FTAs such as the Comprehensive andProgress"e Agreement for Trans― Pacinc Partnership(CPTPP)and the Japan‐ EU Economic
Pannership Agreement(EPA).Against this backdrop,both parties completely agreed on heimpo■ ance of early conclusion of a comprehensive and high― level EPA between Japan(as amember ofthese mega― FTAs)and Turkey(that has concluded the Customs Union with thc EU as
well as many FTAs with countiesin the Middle East and Africa,as a hub connecting Asia,Europe,Middle East and Africa)。 Capitalising on each FT△ network,such a Japan‐ Turl(ey EPA willenablea lnore strategic business development.
Froln the perspective of deepening and broadening the trade and investinent relationship bet、veen

the two countries,itis importantto ensure a free and smooth rnovement ofnatural persons,goods,money,services,and information at a high level,In terms of content,the foIIowing items should
be duly addressed,taking the CPTPP and Japan―

EU EPA as benchmarks.

Common Requests from both DEIK and KeidanreneA social security agreement should be s、vi■ ly conctuded between Turkey and Japan.

Specinc Requests from DEIK
(1)W[arket access(including thc ehminttion of ta五

fas on f。 。d and agiculture products,leather

goods,etc。 )should be improved.

(2)Close COOperttion and assistance should be pro宙 ded for facilitating trade in the rleld oftechnical barriers to trade and sanitary alld phytosanitary measures.
̲(3)Both COuntries should strengthen the coHaboration among universities with a special focus oncommon design/development prttectS.

(4)h order tO suppo■ common R&D prtteCtS,exclus抒 e/bilateral incendves in Technoparl(sshould be studied.

Specinc Requests froHHI Keidanren(1)Market access(including the elimination of tattffs on automobile key components,etc.)
should be improved.
(2)CustOms clearance procedures should be simplined for trade facilitation(making inspection
ofimported products reasonable).
(3)Requtrements for issue and renewal of work permits as well as residence permits should beeased,and procedures should be simphfled(e.g.,mandttory requiremellt to emp10y at least
ive Turkish workers for every foreigner requesting issuance of a work perr五 t should berelaxed).
(4)National treatmellt should be grallted tt the investment stage.
(5)SufflCiellt time period ofnotice should be designated phor to the newly illtroduced regulations

and institutions,and pubhc comments and consultations should be conducted in advance,(6)The RUSF(Resource Utilization Support Fund,or KKDF in Turkish)ShOuld be abolished,
and tax collection systems should be made more transparent.

(7)Digital trade should be promoted(free aOw of cross― border data,prohibition of forced dtta
localisation,prohibition ofrequiringthe transfer ot or aCCess to,source code ofsottare,etc.).

(8)Intellectual property should be more effectively protected by introducing more stringent
regulations and penalties relating to counterfeit products.

(9)Turkey is expected to become soon a party to the WTO Agreement on Covernment
Procurement(Turkey is currently an observerto the WTO GPA).
(10)Market― distoning subsidies and other govemment support measures such as state‐ownedenterprises should be duly restrained.

Overall, the prospective agreement needs to address issues of mutual interest to allow for aconcrete foundation for increased econo■ lic collaboration.
As set out above,DEIK and Keidanren recognise that it is indispensable to conclude an EPA for
consohdating the bilateral econo■ lic relations,and strongly urge the governments ofboth countries

to reanse a comprehensive and high‐ standard Japan― Turkey]己 PA at thc earhest possible tilne.
This Joint Statement was compiled and signed in two originals in]巳 nglish on 19 September 2018SerifCouncil,Kenlchiro Yalllanlshi
Chair,Japan― Turkey Economic

Tamotsu SaitoConll■ ittee,Kcidanrcn

Committee,Keidaば en

Chair, Japan‐ Turl《 cy Economic

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