"EU to Form 'Security Partnership' with Japan... Agreement Expected Next Month"

The Council of the European Union (EU) is set to conclude a 'Security and Defense Partnership' with Japan to strengthen maritime security cooperation.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attending a press conference on the results of the summit held at the Brussels EU headquarters in July last year [Image source=Reuters News Agency]

Kyodo News reported on the 21st, citing diplomatic sources from both sides. In this regard, Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, is expected to visit Japan in early next month to sign the agreement document. The draft agreement is known to include provisions such as the annual holding of a newly established director-general level 'Security and Defense Dialogue,' joint exercises between the Japan Self-Defense Forces and EU naval units, and conducting joint exercises including third countries. It will also contain measures to promote information exchange on the defense industry and seek the possibility of an information security agreement for exchanging classified information.

Kyodo News explained that this partnership is aimed at countering China's expanding maritime presence. Earlier, the EU and Japan held a summit in July last year and agreed to strengthen mutual security cooperation, including the establishment of a foreign minister-level 'Strategic Dialogue.'