RIYADH: The Gulf Cooperation Council and Japan signed on Sunday an agreement to resume negotiations on a free-trade deal between both sides. The signing took place on the sidelines of a meeting between GCC Secretary-General Jassem Mohamed Albudaiwi and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio in Jeddah, Kuwait News Agency reported. The two officials discussed relations between the GCC and Japan, and ways to enhance them in line with their common interests. Albudaiwi lauded Japan for its significant regional and international roles, as well as its support for GCC member states on a variety of issues.