Reported 8 months ago
According to Nikkei Asia citing a senior official of the European Commission on Sunday, the EU is looking to establish security and defense industry partnerships with Japan and South Korea for joint military equipment development. This marks the EU's first such security and defense cooperation with Asian countries. The EU aims to reach a ministerial agreement with Japan by the end of the year to support joint projects managed by Japanese and European companies. While Japan's constitution renounces war, it faces a challenging and complex security environment, expanding its defense industry, especially amid concerns over China and North Korea. Japan already has agreements for advanced fighter jet development with the UK and Italy, and has initiated defense industry cooperation talks with the US. Tokyo seeks to counter China's assertive moves in disputed waters and expressed concerns over any potential instability in the Taiwan Strait, deepening defense ties with the US and the Philippines.
Source: YAHOO