On the 24th, Nikkei reported that the European Union (EU) is considering new partnerships in the security and defense industries with South Korea and Japan.
According to the report, the EU is aiming to reach an agreement with Japan within the year, focusing on joint research and development (R&D) of defense equipment.
The EU appears to be seeking participation and cooperation from Japanese companies in its defense R&D plans to enhance its defense capabilities and weapon production abilities. While the EU has partnerships in the security and defense sectors with non-member countries such as Norway, this is the first time with Asian countries.
A senior official of the EU Commission said, “The security environment in Europe and Asia is changing significantly,” and expressed a desire to “establish a partnership to collaborate more closely with South Korea and Japan.”
Since Russia invaded Ukraine, the EU has been strengthening its defense industry such as increasing weapon production. However, Nikkei reported that the EU recognizes its limitations and is seeking to strengthen relations with countries like South Korea and Japan that share its values.
Especially since Russia and North Korea signed a treaty of comprehensive strategic partnership on the 19th, such movements are expected to accelerate.
The EU plans to strengthen partnerships related to weapon exports with South Korea. After the Russia-Ukrainian War, Poland purchased a large number of K2 tanks and K9 self-propelled guns from South Korea. Countries including Romania, Finland, and Estonia are also increasing their procurement of South Korean weapons.
The EU is considering cooperation in areas such as space, cyber, fake news, and maritime security.
Nikkei mentioned that “cooperation for nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation, emphasized by Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, seems to be included as well.”
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