Tokyo: Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and top European Union (EU) officials have decided to launch a "Japan-EU Competitiveness Alliance" to promote cooperation in various areas, as stated in a joint statement released after their talks in Tokyo. This initiative aims to strengthen ties between Japan and the EU, focusing on sectors such as cybersecurity, the defense industry, maritime security, space, and information sharing.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Ishiba, European Council President Antonio Costa, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have agreed to steadily implement their cooperation based on the Japan-EU Security and Defense Partnership announced in November 2024. The leaders recognize the inseparable security interests of Europe and the Indo-Pacific region.
The joint statement emphasized that the Japan-EU Strategic Partnership is at its strongest and most significant stage, underscoring the legal foundations provided by the Japan-EU Strategic Partnership Agreement and the Japan-EU Economic Partnership Agreement. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to upholding a free and rules-based multilateral trading system with the World Trade Organization (WTO) at its core, as well as promoting other multilateral cooperation efforts.
The discussions also covered regional affairs, including the situations in Ukraine, the Middle East, and East Asia. There was a unanimous call for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid. The leaders reiterated the importance of protecting civilians and humanitarian workers at all times.