The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe regrets that no date has been fixed before the summer for the EU / Japan, summit, which was postponed indefinitely. Metin Kazak (Movement for Rights and Freedom, Bulgaria), ALDE coordinator for the Parliamentary Committee on International Trade, said:

"The reluctance of member states to open negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement is at the origin of this cancellation. It is also regrettable that the majority of Parliament has shown the same reluctance."

"The Liberals and Democrats for their part remain confident that the launch of negotiations in itself sends a positive signal during this downturn in the global economy".

"I hope this attitude does not affect the Council's position with regard to the launch of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the United States of America, which is our other major trading partner" .