Tokyo, 13 April, /AJMEDIA
The defense ministers of Japan and Italy on Tuesday condemned Russia’s aggression on Ukraine as a “violation of international law” and “totally unacceptable,” while agreeing to enhance their security ties.
Nobuo Kishi said after meeting with his Italian counterpart Lorenzo Guerini that they vowed to oppose any unilateral attempt to alter the status quo by force, as well as any act that could intensify tensions in the Indo-Pacific region, apparently referring to China’s growing maritime assertiveness in the region.
“As members of the Group of Seven, Japan and Italy will keep close communication,” Kishi said at a press conference.
At the outset of the meeting, Guerini welcomed progress in technical cooperation in the security field between Japan and Italy. He also referred to possible bilateral cooperation in developing defense equipment such as fighter jets, the Japanese Defense Ministry said.
Japan and Italy signed an accord on the transfer of defense equipment and technology in 2017, which took effect in 2019.
