BRUSSELS, April 18 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Wednesday recommended a "swift and smooth" conclusion of the Economic Partnership Agreement with Japan and the trade and investment agreements with Singapore, saying it would send a clear message against protectionism and in defense of multilateralism.
"We now hope for a swift and smooth conclusion of these agreements, which will allow EU firms, workers, farmers and consumers to reap the benefits of these deals as soon as possible," said European Commission vice-president Jyrki Katainen, who is responsible for jobs, growth, investment and competitiveness for the commission.
"The impact of these agreements will go far beyond our respective shores -- it sends a clear and unambiguous message that we stand together against protectionism and in defense of multilateralism. This is more important than ever," said European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker.
Once approved by the Council of the European Union, the agreements will be sent to the European Parliament, with the goal that they enter into force before the end of the current mandate of the European Commission in 2019. The investment protection agreement with Singapore will follow its ratification procedure also at EU member state level.
The Japan agreement is the biggest bilateral trade partnership ever negotiated by the European Union. The trade and investment agreements with Singapore are the EU's first completed bilateral deals with a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
