ＵＡＥとＥＰＡ交渉開始　中東で初、原油安定調達へ―政府

　政府は１８日、アラブ首長国連邦（ＵＡＥ）と経済連携協定（ＥＰＡ）の締結交渉を始めると発表した。関税の撤廃や引き下げを通じ、自動車などの輸出拡大を目指す。中東諸国とのＥＰＡ交渉は初めてで、原油調達の一層の安定化も狙う。
　森屋宏官房副長官は同日の記者会見で、「ＵＡＥはエネルギー安全保障上の重要な戦略的パートナーで、両国間の経済関係の強化などに資する」と語った。（2024/09/18-18:03）

The Japanese government has said that it will launch talks with the United Arab Emirates to conclude an economic partnership agreement for free trade.
   The talks will be Japan's first EPA negotiations with a Middle East country.
   Through the envisaged pact, Japan hopes to expand exports of automobiles and other products by eliminating or reducing tariffs and further stabilize its crude oil procurement.
   "As the UAE is an important strategic partner for our energy security, (the proposed agreement) will help strengthen the economic relations between our two countries," Deputy Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroshi Moriya told a press conference Wednesday.
   Japan's exports to the UAE, mostly automobiles, machinery and steel products, are subject to a 5 pct tariff in principle.