Brussels, 20/01/2015 (Agence Europe) - During the visit of Fumio Kishida, Japan's foreign minister, to Brussels on Monday 19 January, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini hailed Japan's growing role in regional and international security.
“Japan is a key EU ally in its region and globally”, said Mogherini, after her meeting with Kishida, and she stated her desire to broaden bilateral cooperation. “We also support Japan in taking up more of its responsibilities on regional and global security. As a result, we are expanding our joint peace and security agenda, cooperating in the context of EU crisis management operations and working together in crisis areas”, she added.
The EU and Japan have been negotiating two agreements since spring 2013 in order to strengthen their ties - a strategic partnership agreement that will cover political dialogue, cooperation on regional issues, challenges, and sectoral cooperation; and a free trade agreement.
During his meetings with Mogherini and Germany's foreign minister, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, on Monday, Kishida stated Japan's desire to cooperate closely with the EU for a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Eastern Ukraine and for Ukraine's economic stabilisation. Kishida pledged to extend Japanese financial aid to Kiev to the tune of $300 million (in addition to the $1.5 billion already committed) and $16.5 million to help the east of the country recover.
On Tuesday 20 January, Kishida told the Japan Trilateral Forum, which was hosted by the German Marshall Fund, that Japan would contribute up to $7.5 million for the international fight against terrorism, so as to build - through international organisations, anti-terrorist capabilities in Africa and the Middle East. As Islamic State (IS) is threatening to kill two Japanese hostages in Syria, Kishida urged the international community “to make efforts across the board” in the fight against terrorism - and this will be the focus of the Japanese presidency of the G7 in 2016.
On the regional level, Kishida promised that Japan will redouble its efforts to improve its tense relations with China and South Korea, and he gave assurances that the door remains open for dialogue. Last week Japan approved its biggest defence budget since the Second World War - an action that reflects the conviction of Japan's prime minister, Shinzo Abe, that Japan should have a more active army, in step with its status as a world economic power. However, its neighbouring countries are concerned about this move against a backdrop of growing tension over differences of opinion on maritime territories.
On the eve of the 70th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, Kishida underlined, on Tuesday 20 January, Japan's resolve to work for peace. “Based on deep remorse for the past, Japan has followed the path of a peace-loving nation with the determination not to repeat the suffering brought about by the devastation of war that the 20th century experienced. We are now resolved to contribute even more actively to peace and stability of the international community (…) I am convinced that Europe will be an important partner for Japan when we put into practice the policy of proactive contribution to peace” based on the principle of international cooperation, he said. (EH)