Dear Minister [for Foreign Affairs of Japan, Takeshi Iwaya], dear Ambassadors,

We live in a very dangerous world. We live in a world of growing rivalries, climate accidents and threats of war.

And there is only one antidote to this challenging world, which is partnerships among friends.

Japan is the EU’s closest partner in the Indo-Pacific region. Our bilateral relations between Japan and the European Union have never been stronger. But they can be improved.

I am very happy to be here in Tokyo once again, to meet for the first Strategic Dialogue under the recently ratified EU-Japan Strategic Partnership Agreement.

And today we open a new chapter in our relations. A new chapter that is not about trade or economics, this is about security and defence.

I am extremely pleased to be here with Minister Iwaya to announce the conclusion of this Security and Defence Partnership between the European Union and Japan.

It is the first agreement of this nature that we conclude with the Indo-Pacific countries. And it is so important because we are fully aware that the Indo-Pacific is the theatre of the history of mankind will be written in this century.

It’s a historical and very timely step given the situation in both of our regions.

This political framework deepens our ability to tackle emerging threats together, and work towards a future where our values of democracy, human rights, and the rules-based international order will continue to guide the way.

I would like to thank you, Minister, and our Japanese partners for your trust and our shared vision. Together, we are reinforcing our ties, and building a stronger, more secure future for our regions, for our people and for the world.

Link to the video (starting at 06:30): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-263113