Japan-France “2+2” meeting claims to have reached an agreement on deepening maritime security cooperation

Original title: Japan-France “2+2” meeting claimed to have reached an agreement on deepening maritime security cooperation

China News Service, January 21. According to Kyodo News, the Japanese and French governments held a consultation between foreign ministers and defense ministers (2+2) by video conference on the 20th. Japan and France have reached an agreement on deepening cooperation in the field of maritime security, and also strive to jointly realize a “free and open Indo-Pacific”.

The Japanese side was attended by Foreign Minister Lin Fangzheng and Defense Minister Nobuo Kishi, and the French side was attended by Foreign Minister Le Drian and Defense Minister Parly. According to reports, during the consultations, the two sides reached a consensus on the situation in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and reached an agreement on advancing joint training between the Self-Defense Forces and the French Army.

Focusing on the first-ever Reciprocal Access Agreement (RAA) concluded between Japan and Australia, Japan and France agreed to initiate discussions aimed at improving procedures for joint Japanese-French exercises. The RAA regulates the carrying of weapons and customs procedures when troops from both sides visit each other’s countries, and France has expressed its intention to conclude.

The last Japan-France 2+2 was held in France in January 2019. This time, it was coordinated to be held in Japan, but the offline method was abandoned due to the rapid spread of the new crown epidemic.Return to Sohu, see more