EU and Japan agree 'historic' first security and defence pact
Japan and the European Union announced a new security and defence pact in Tokyo on Friday, an agreement described as a “historic step” by the head of European foreign affairs and security, Josep Borrell.
Borrell and his Japanese counterpart, Takeshi Iwaya, unveiled the pact, which provides for more joint military exercises, dialogue at the highest level and cooperation in the defence industry.
This is the first agreement of its kind concluded by the EU with an Asia-Pacific country, Borrell said. “We live in a very dangerous world,” he told journalists, describing the pact as “deepening our ability to tackle emerging threats together”.
Joint exercises
Tokyo is concerned that Beijing is strengthening its military capacity in the region, but this was not referred to in Borrell’s address. After Tokyo, Borrell is due to travel to South Korea, where discussions are expected to focus on North Korea.
The text of the new partnership, seen by news agency AFP, provides for the promotion of naval cooperation, including joint exercises in “jointly designated third countries”. It also provides for discussions on “the development of defence initiatives, including the exchange of information on defence industry issues”.
Japan, which has depended on the US for decades for its military hardware, is also developing a new fighter aircraft with Italy and the UK, which should be ready for take-off by 2035.
Josep Borrell and Takeshi Iwaya take part in a signing ceremony at the Iikura Guest House in Tokyo, 1 November 2024 © PHOTO RICHARD A BROOKS / AFP
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