The United Kingdom and Japan have agreed on a defense plan that will allow the deployment of national military forces between the two countries in order to accelerate security cooperation.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak will sign this «historic agreement» with his Japanese counterpart Fumio Kishida on Wednesday, culminating years of negotiation, according to 10 Downing Street.
«Over the past 12 months, we have written the next chapter in the UK-Japan relationship, accelerating, building and deepening our ties,» Sunak said, according to a British government statement.
The UK premier added that this agreement is «very important for both nations» as it «consolidates» their commitment to the Indo-Pacific, underlining joint efforts to strengthen economic security,» accelerate defense cooperation and boost innovation for new jobs.
«In this increasingly competitive world, it is more important than ever that democratic societies continue to stand shoulder to shoulder as we navigate the unprecedented global challenges of our time,» he has assured.
The UK will now become the first European country to have a Reciprocal Access Agreement with Japan, which is considered to be the most important such treaty between the two countries for more than a century.
On the other hand, both leaders will discuss Tokyo’s presidency of the G7, as well as continuing international support for Ukraine, both in terms of military equipment and progress in peace negotiations.
Source: (EUROPA PRESS)
