TOKYO: Japan and the European Union announced a significant new security and defense partnership in Tokyo on Friday, which EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell described as a historic and “very timely” development.
Borrell and Japanese Defense Minister Takeshi Iwaya unveiled the agreement, which aims to enhance cooperation through joint military exercises, information exchange in the defense sector, and space security, among other areas.
“I’m extremely pleased to be here with Minister Iwaya to announce this security and defense partnership,” Borrell stated, emphasizing that it is “the first agreement of this nature” between the EU and an Asia-Pacific country. He noted, “We live in a very dangerous world,” and highlighted that the partnership will strengthen their ability to address emerging threats together.
Following the talks in Tokyo, Borrell will travel to South Korea, where discussions will focus on concerns regarding North Korea.
