On March 17, DM Kishi held a video teleconference with H.E. Mr. Andrii Taran, Minister of Defence of Ukraine. The two Ministers confirmed to promote wide range of defense cooperation and exchanges.
Both Ministers confirmed to strongly oppose any attempts to niraterally change the status quo by coercion or activities that escalate tension in the East China Sea and the South China Sea, and they shared the view on the deep concerns over the Chinese Coast Guard Law.
Japan-Ukraine Defense Ministers’ Teleconference
March 17, 2021
Japan Ministry of Defense
On March 17, 2021, Minister KISHI Nobuo held a teleconference for approximately 120 minutes with H.E. Mr. Andrii Taran, Minister of Defence of Ukraine visiting Japan
- At the outset of the meeting, Minister Kishi expressed how sorry he was to hear that one member of the delegation to Japan was tested positive of COVID-19. In response, Minister Taran stated that it was very unfortunate that a face-to-face meeting did not realize this time, but being able to realize a high-level meeting, even though in a VTC format, is very important for Japan-Ukraine relationship. Minister Kishi expressed there is no change to Japan’s position, which Japan respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by coercion are entirely unacceptable. Minister Taran, in response, showed his appreciation toward Japan’s position, and he also mentioned his expectations to further promote two countries defense cooperation and exchanges based on increasingly severe security environment.
- Both Ministers shared the importance of bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges, and they confirmed to promote wide range of the cooperation based on the Memorandum between the Ministry of Defense of Japan and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine on cooperation and exchanges in the field of defense. They also confirmed to advance coordination for conducting “The Second Pol-Mil Talk between Japan and Ukraine” and “Mil-Mil Talk” in the latter half of this year, Japan’s participation to “Sea Breeze 2021”exercise as an observer and Ukraine Military Medical staff’s visit to Japan.
- The two Ministers exchanged views on the situation of the defense industry and efforts in the area of defense equipment and technology of both countries.
- The two Ministers also exchanged views on the regional issues. Especially, regarding the East China Sea and the South China Sea, they confirmed to strongly oppose any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by coercion or any activities that escalate tension regarding the situation. In this context, they shared the view on the deep concerns over the Chinese Coast Guard Law. As for the regional issues surrounding Ukraine, Minister Taran mentioned about the importance of the efforts to return occupied territories and restore territorial integrity. Regarding North Korea, the two Ministers also shared the view on the need to realize the complete, verifiable, and irreversible dismantlement of all of North Korea’s weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges.
