Signing Ceremony of the Japan-Poland Memorandum on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges, and Defense Ministers’ Video Teleconference

(Press Release)

February 21, 2022
Japan Ministry of Defense

Signing Ceremony of the Japan-Poland Memorandum on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges, and Defense Ministers’ Video Teleconference

  

 On February 21, 2022, commencing at 1830 for approximately 80 minutes, Minister KISHI held an online signing ceremony for Japan-Poland Memorandum on Defense Cooperation and Exchanges, as well as a video teleconference with Polish Minister of National Defence Błaszczak.

1 The ministers welcomed the signature of the memorandum which consolidates the advancement of cooperation between Japan and Poland in the field of national security and defense cooperation, and confirmed that they will further deepen the bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges under this momentum.

2 The ministers then conducted a defense ministers’ meeting and discussed security challenges in similar nature to both Japan and Poland. Regarding the situation in Europe, Minister Błaszczak introduced the policy of NATO and its member states including Poland towards the situation in Ukraine, as well as an explanation concerning the issue at the Polish-Belarussian border. Minister Kishi expressed Japan’s consistent position that Japan respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and unilateral changes to the status quo by force is unacceptable, that Japan is monitoring Russia’s military build-up in the vicinity of the Ukrainian border with grave concern, and that Japan will continue to respond appropriately in cooperation with the international community.

3 The Ministers also shared the view that the issues surrounding Ukraine is a global one that could influence the international community as a whole, and is a serious issue that cannot be overlooked by both Japan and Poland.

4 The Ministers also exchanged views on regional security issues in the Indo-Pacific. Regarding the East and South China Sea, they concurred to oppose any attempts to unilaterally change the status quo by coercion or any activities that escalate tension regarding the situation, and concurred on the importance of free and open maritime order based on the rule of law. Additionally, Minister Kishi welcomed the increase in the involvement of European nations in the Indo-Pacific region, and expressed the intention to promote defense cooperation and exchanges that would benefit in upholding and reinforcing “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” alongside Poland which is a member of both the NATO and the EU. Minister Błaszczak responded by expressing strong support towards FOIP.

5 The Ministers concurred to actively promote bilateral defense cooperation and exchanges including those through NATO and EU.