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NATO, Japan discuss global security

Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi  Inada with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg
Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada with NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg
BRUSSELS, Jan 5 (KUNA) -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met Japanese Defence Minister Tomomi Inada at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on Thursday, where the two discussed progress in NATO-Japan cooperation and exchaned views on the security situation, including in the Asia-Pacific region. According to a NATO statement, it was the first visit of a Japanese defence minister to NATO since 2007.
Stoltenberg praised Japan for its close cooperation with NATO in the maritime domain, in the context of international efforts to combat piracy. He also welcomed Japan's focus on cyber defense, including participation in NATO's Cyber Coalition 2016 exercise, as an observer. Japan is NATO's longest-standing global partner, having established ties in the early 1990s. In 2014, then NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe of Japan signed an agreement to deepen political dialogue and practical cooperation between the Alliance and Japan, which included counter piracy, disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, noted the statement. (end) nk.nam