Visit to Maritime Operation Center by Commander, French Armed Forces in French Polynesia Commanding General, Joint Forces, Pacific.

On April 20, Commander, French Armed Forces in French Polynesia Commanding General, Joint Forces, Pacific, Rear Admiral Geoffroy d’ANDIGNĒ visited Chief of Staff, Commander in Chief Self Defense Fleet, Rear Admiral YAGI Koji.
France has great influence over the world. In addition, it has its territories in the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Islands, and is an only country in EU that has a military presence in the Indo-Pacific region. In this sense, France is a special partner to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”. JMSDF and French Navy have been carried out bilateral and joint exercises not only in the surrounding of Japan, but also in the Gulf of Aden to improve the capabilities for anti-piracy and to strengthen cooperation. On April 20-21, JS KUMANO conducted a joint exercise with French Frigate PRAIRIAL in the south sea of Kanto.
In the conversation, they shared serious concerns over attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by force, and concurred to eagerly promote the defense cooperation and exchanges in a multilateral framework including EU, NATO, etc. in order to realize a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific”.
Self-Defense Fleet maintains responsiveness, engages in the defense of Japan, and contributes to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region in cooperation with allied and like-minded navies to uphold and reinforce a free and open international order based on the rule of law.

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