Distinguished colleagues, Representatives of the Trade Promotion Organizations of the Member States of the European Union, Representatives of the EU-Japan Centre, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a distinct pleasure and an honor to welcome you today to the offices of the\u00a0Italian Trade Agency\u00a0here in Tokyo.<\/p>\n
We are gathered for a meeting that I believe is of vital importance for the future of European Trade Promotion Organizations active in Japan.<\/p>\n
Your presence here today reflects a reality that has become increasingly clear in recent years: while we each represent our respective national interests and priorities, we operate in a global environment where\u00a0cooperation among European partners is no longer optional\u2014it is a strategic imperative.<\/p>\n
The economic relationship between the European Union and Japan is among the most advanced and comprehensive in the world. It is a relationship built on a bedrock of shared values, high regulatory standards, and a deep, mutual commitment to an open, rules-based international trade system.<\/p>\n
The\u00a0EU\u2013Japan Economic Partnership Agreement\u00a0has provided us with a stable and predictable framework. It has yielded tangible benefits for our companies\u2014particularly our\u00a0SMEs\u2014by systematically reducing trade barriers and facilitating smoother market access.<\/p>\n
Simultaneously, our\u00a0Strategic Partnership Agreement\u00a0has allowed us to deepen our cooperation in areas that extend far beyond traditional trade: from digital governance and the green transition to research, innovation, and economic security.<\/p>\n
In an international landscape currently marked by geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and intense technological competition, the EU and Japan increasingly view one another not merely as trading partners, but as\u00a0like-minded strategic actors.\u00a0This shift creates opportunities on a scale that is often too large and too complex for any single Member State to address in isolation.<\/p>\n
In this context, the work carried out by our Trade Promotion Organizations is essential.<\/p>\n
We serve as the operational interface between the European private sector and the Japanese market. It is our responsibility to translate high-level policy frameworks into\u00a0concrete commercial opportunities: through business missions, trade fairs, investment facilitation, and the daily support we provide to firms navigating what is undeniably one of the world’s most sophisticated and demanding business environments.<\/p>\n
However, we also face a set of common challenges\u2014and none of these challenges stop at national borders. Therefore, meetings like today\u2019s are more than a routine exchange of information. They represent a broader, more ambitious effort to move from simple coordination toward\u00a0genuine, integrated cooperation\u00a0among all European actors in Japan.<\/p>\n
The concept of\u00a0\u201cTeam Europe\u201d\u00a0is not a slogan reserved for development policy or external affairs. It has a very practical, very functional meaning for those of us working on trade and investment in a market as advanced as Japan.<\/p>\n
Our cooperation is particularly relevant in the sectors currently reshaping both the European and Japanese economies. The\u00a0green transition\u00a0is not only a climate necessity; it is a massive industrial transformation where European companies hold a competitive edge and where Japan is committing significant investment. Similarly, the\u00a0digital transformation\u00a0is opening new corridors for partnerships in high-value, innovation-driven sectors.<\/p>\n
In these domains,\u00a0European visibility, credibility, and critical mass\u00a0can be the deciding factor. By working more closely together, we enhance our collective ability to position European solutions as reliable, high-quality, and perfectly aligned with Japan\u2019s long-term policy objectives.<\/p>\n
As we look toward the future,\u00a0the upcoming\u00a0Horticultural Expo in Yokohama\u00a0will offer yet another structured platform for EU\u2013Japan engagement, particularly in fields such as sustainability, urban development, and green innovation.<\/p>\n
Let me conclude with a simple observation.<\/p>\n
Europe\u2019s economic presence in Japan is significant, diversified, and technologically advanced. But its full potential will only be realized if we continue to cultivate the\u00a0habit of working together\u2014pragmatically, flexibly, and with a shared strategic vision.<\/p>\n
Today\u2019s meeting is an integral part of that process. I am confident that the exchange of experiences this afternoon will not only improve our individual national activities but will reinforce the\u00a0collective European footprint\u00a0in Japan.<\/p>\n
Thank you for your commitment, your spirit of cooperation, and your tireless work in support of European companies. I wish you all a highly productive and inspiring meeting.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Distinguished colleagues, Representatives of the Trade Promotion Organizations of the Member States of the European Union, Representatives of the EU-Japan Centre, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is a distinct pleasure and an honor to welcome you today to the offices of the\u00a0Italian Trade Agency\u00a0here in Tokyo. We are gathered for a meeting that I believe is […]","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":0,"parent":272,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-7637","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ambtokyo.esteri.it\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7637","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ambtokyo.esteri.it\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ambtokyo.esteri.it\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ambtokyo.esteri.it\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ambtokyo.esteri.it\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7637"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ambtokyo.esteri.it\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7637\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7638,"href":"https:\/\/ambtokyo.esteri.it\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/7637\/revisions\/7638"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ambtokyo.esteri.it\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/272"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ambtokyo.esteri.it\/it\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7637"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}