I warmly welcome you all to Expo Osaka and to this EU policy event on Sustainable and Innovative Agriculture.

I would particularly like to thank Mr. Hirofumi Takinami, State Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, other Japanese authorities, as well as EU Member State Ministers, Minister Rummenie, Minister Heydon, and Minister Hofmanas, Ambassadors and diplomats, and also EU business delegates for their presence today.

This is not the first time we are in Japan to promote the EUs high food production standards - for example, we have participated in FOODEX several times. Two years ago, we also came with a business delegation - today, I am here again with a delegation of over 100 businesses representing a wide range of sectors of EU food and drink. Our regular presence in Japan shows how important the Japanese market is for Europeans.

For several years now, we have been highlighting the common values between the EU and Japan when it comes to food and beverages - food safety, quality, authenticity, and sustainability with our Perfect Match campaign. With a wide range of activities, we show the wonderful combinations of EU products with Japanese cuisine and culture. You may have spotted our food truck just outside the EU Pavilion, but if not, you will discover some of these mouth-watering combinations at our reception later today.

The EU and Japan have an excellent relationship. Even if we are separated by thousands of kilometers, we share friendship and common values.

During previous promotion events, we extensively discussed how Europeans make agri-food products concerning Sanitary and Phytosanitary standards, organic farming, Geographical Indications, and sustainable agriculture. These discussions included roundtables with exporters and importers about how to boost bilateral trade on agri-food products.

Our bilateral political and economic ties became even stronger when two landmark agreements came into force in 2019: the EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and the EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement.

I am very happy to see that these agreements are taking our cooperation to the next level. They bring tangible benefits to people in both Europe and Japan. Thanks to the Economic Partnership Agreement, for example, Japanese consumers can access a greater variety of excellent EU foods and beverages at more affordable prices.

During todays event, we want to discuss several elements that make EU food production interesting for Japanese consumers:

In the first panel, we will explore issues linked to sustainable and innovative agriculture in the EU, their significance for the Japanese market, and future opportunities for EU-Japan agri-food trade, investment, and cooperation.

Sustainable agriculture occupies a unique position at the heart of the European Unions society, environment, and economy. Our Common Agricultural Policy aims to achieve a sustainable system of agriculture in the EU from an economic, environmental, and social angle. Europes food production respects the environment and cares about the legacy it leaves for future generations. Later, we will see how European agriculture is able to meet its goals.

Research and innovation play a crucial role in EU agriculture and food production. Our agricultural research focuses on creating value from land through sustainable primary production and enhancing rural innovation. These are vital tools that help farmers tackle issues like climate change, environmental degradation, and loss of biodiversity.

EU foods and beverages are not only about centuries of heritage and the best quality. They also maintain the highest safety standards in the world, along with those of Japan. So, in the second panel, we will explore the four main pillars of European agri-food production - safety, sustainability, authenticity, and quality. This panel will focus on organic farming and geographical indications, and how these are perceived in Japan, as well as new opportunities for growth.

The EUs policy on Geographical Indications is becoming more popular in Japan, as we are constantly extending the list of GI products protected under the Economic Partnership Agreement.

Geographic indications protect the names of specific products to promote their unique characteristics, linked to their geographical origin as well as traditional know-how. This recognition enables consumers to trust and distinguish quality products while also helping producers market their products better. This is how we protect quality, authenticity, and related expertise in our respective territories.

We will also address the growing importance of organic products, both in the EU and Japan. Organic farming aims to produce food using natural substances and processes, with fewer pesticides, chemicals, and fertilizers.

This means that organic food products are of high quality. Organic farming also tends to have a limited environmental impact because it encourages responsible use of natural resources. In turn, this benefits biodiversity, soil fertility, and water quality.

Our rules governing organic farming also encourage a high standard of animal welfare.

The emphasis on organic agriculture fits perfectly in the general approach to sustainability of agri-food production - a common goal for the EU and Japan.

In addition, the EU and Japan have agreed to strengthen cooperation on protecting the environment, conserving biodiversity, and fighting climate change through a Green Alliance.

I hope that you will enjoy todays discussions. I am convinced that this event will facilitate business-to-business contacts between EU and Japanese agri-food companies, with a view to developing mutually beneficial and lasting cooperation.