Japan and Australia’s defense ministers pledged to strengthen defense ties between the two countries to maintain democratic values in the Indo-Pacific region and work closely with Southeast Asian and Pacific islands.
Australian Defense Minister Richard Marless and his Japanese counterpart, Nobuo Kishi, said regional cooperation was “necessary to maintain and strengthen the Indo-Pacific policy-based order”.
The meeting of the two ministers took place just three days after their meeting in Singapore on the sideline of the Shangri-La Security Dialogue Forum.
“It is clear that our region is facing the most complex strategic conditions since the end of World War II. It matters what the region does about it, ”Marles said at a joint press conference in Tokyo after meeting with his Japanese counterpart. sabi.
Only by working together can we maintain an international order based on rules, contribute to an effective balance of military power, and keep our region stable, peaceful and prosperous.
Japanese Minister Kiichi said the two ministers shared their concerns about the consequences of Russia’s military operation in Ukraine.
He said they were totally opposed to unilateral change in the status quo in the East and South China Seas and reiterated their commitment to a mutual vision for a “free and open” international order.
Referring to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Keshi said, “Strengthening our cooperation with our partners in the region, especially ASEAN and the Pacific Islands, is essential to keeping the region free and open. Indo-Pacific. ”
Japan and Australia signed an agreement in January to enhance cooperation and allow their forces to enter the two countries for training and other military purposes.
Japan sees increasing Chinese military activity in the region as a threat to some of the world’s busiest sea lanes.
Japan is particularly concerned about Chinese military and coast guard activities in the East China Sea near the Japanese -controlled “Sinkaku” islands claimed by China and called “Diaoyu”.
Source: Associated Press
Source: Arabic RT
