Officials from the European Union (EU) have been meeting with their Japanese counterparts in Brussels to discuss a range of issues, including job creation.

Discussions have been arranged with stakeholders from both sides by the European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) in order to examine future cooperation.

This is partly due to the Action Plan between the EU and Japan expires in 2011, with subjects such as addressing social changes, economic growth, sustainable jobs generation and strengthening links between the two entities taking place on May 28th.

Representatives of government, civil society groups, academia and officials were gathered by the EESC's Section for External Relations to extend debate started at the EU-Japan summit in April, which identified the need for closer cooperation and bilateral relations.

Seminars were held in November 2009 about corporate social responsibility in the EU and Japan, with the program including perspectives from employers, trade unions and researchers.

Posted by Alex Donnell