On Thursday 17 June, Japanese Defence Minister Nobuo Kishi called for closer cooperation with the European Union, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.
“I want to strengthen cooperation with the EU as a strategic partner and to act together to create peace, security and stability in the world based on common values and the Rule of law”, he told the European Parliament’s Security and Defence Subcommittee.
According to Nobuo Kishi, any countries that share the same values must act and fight together to rise to the challenge of fighting authoritarianism. He believes that it is natural for the EU and Japan to strengthen their ties.
The Minister also expressed his country’s appreciation for the increased involvement of the EU in stabilising the Indo-Pacific region. “Japan and the EU can play a stabilising role and show leadership”, he said, adding that both countries needed to face the challenges together.
“It is important to work together to come to an agreement and to oppose any unilateral attempt to change the situation using force, to fight against any behaviour that exacerbates tensions, and to promote an order based on rules”, said Mr Kishi.
He also raised concerns about the South China Sea and relations between China and Taiwan. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)