EU, Japan reaffirm commitment to Iran nuclear deal

BRUSSELS, April 6 (KUNA) -- EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Federica Mogherini, spoke Friday by phone with the Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and discussed the situation in the Korean Peninsula, the Iran nuclear deal and bilateral ties.
Mogheriniآ’s office released a press release that noted about the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA), saying both the EU High Representative and the Japanese Foreign Minister reaffirmed their strong commitment to the deal and to its implementation.
Mogherini thanked Kono for Japan's contribution to the implementation of the deal, including through technical assistance.
The two sides confirmed the EU's commitment to its policy of critical engagement with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), which combines pressure through sanctions against the DPRK with outreach to facilitate a negotiated solution to the challenges posed by the DPRK's nuclear and missile programmes.
The EU foreign policy chief also debriefed on contacts this week between EU and DPRK officials.
The phone call touched upon EU-Japan bilateral relations, in particular the Strategic Partnership Agreement and the Economic Partnership Agreement, which, once in force, will signal the high importance given to the relationship and enable an even closer partnership and cooperation. (end) nk.sd