Tokyo - The ratification of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between Indonesia and Japan is expected to have been finalized by  the end of May, 2008.

By doing so, the exchange of diplomatic notes marked the start of implementation of the cooperation agreement, Indonesian coordinator for EPA Tulus Budhiantor said here on Wednesday in relation to the follow up of the EPA agreement between  the two countries.

Since the signing of the EPA agreement by Japanese Prime Minister Sinzo Abe and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in August 2007, this strategic cooperation had yet to be implemented.

Japan still had to wait for the ratification by their parliament (Diet), while Indonesia had no need for a  ratification  on account of the executive's (government) authority.

"At its Lower House level in Japan, the EPA agreement was already completed in mid-April and now it needs to be discussed at the Highest Assembly on May 15," said Tulus who is also trade attache at the Indonesian embassy in Tokyo.

According to him, after the completion of the EPA ratification  between Indonesia and Japan, each party will exchange diplomatic notes containing respective party's readiness to implement the economic cooperation as specified in the EPA agreement.

Earlier, Indonesian Ambassador to Japan Jusuf Anwar in a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister also asked about a follow up of the EPA process, considering that Indonesia had to make  preparations including activities like seminar on trade and investment which would be held in Tokyo in the near future between the chambers of commerce and industry of Indonesia and Japan (Kaidanren).

The EPA cooperation between Indonesia and Japan is expected to serve as  a breakthrough in their relations to revive Japan's investment in Indonesia and to let Indonesian products enter the Japanese market.

- Source : Antara News Agency, 15 May 2008