The European Union and Japan have signed an agreement on a strategic partnership, as well as a partnership in the field of security and defense. The documents were exchanged during a ceremony in Tokyo by Japanese Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.
According to Iwaya, a strategic partnership agreement was signed. “We exchanged documents on the strategic partnership agreement. “In addition, we agreed on a security and defense partnership,” he added,
“Specifically, we envision cooperation in the areas of maritime security, space, cybersecurity, and hybrid threats, including foreign disinformation and interference,” he said. The security of the Asia-Pacific region is “inseparable from that of Europe and the Atlantic,” Iwaya added.
“It will enter into force on January 1, 2025,” Iwaya said. noting that Japan was the first in the Indo-Pacific region to conclude such an agreement with the EU.
Borrell also noted that this is “the first such cooperation program in history concluded by the European Union” with a country in the region. He believes that it will “strengthen security” in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, and will be aimed at building “a future based on democracy and respect for human rights, as well as maintaining a rules-based world order.” Japan has recently been paying attention to developing relations with Europe, including in the area of security, declaring the indivisibility of security in Europe and Asia.
“Cooperation and dialogue will develop in all areas of defense and security,” Iwaya added. Later, the head of the Japanese Foreign Ministry said, the parties will hold the first meeting of the strategic dialogue and discuss not only cooperation but also regional issues. “Japan-EU relations are stronger than ever. We will work together on a wide range of issues, including security,” Iwaya added. European Commission reported the exchange of instruments of the Japan-EU Strategic Agreement.
After Tokyo, Borrell will visit the Republic of Korea. In Seoul, he will meet with the heads of the foreign policy and defense ministries, and will also visit the demilitarized zone on the border with the DPRK.
