Japan and EU announce security and defense partnership

Wait until people who involved need to deal with bureaucracy and compliance, have fun with that.

EU will cease to exist within a decade

EU doesn’t have a military per se.

Best case, a symbolic gesture of solidarity vis a vis Russia. Worst case, wasting a few hundred hours of time and effort for a fancy, embossed book and photo opp.

EU will cease to exist within a decade

Idk, I've heard this for more than a decade now.

Couple of things I'm not clear about. The EU was established primarily as an economic and political union to promote economic integration, and to enhance the economies of its member states. Security would remain the responsibility of NATO.

There are several nations that are not members of both organizations, which creates the potential for conflicting interests.  How does Japan propose to deal with this?

The other part is all of this is about maintaining peace and stability. Borrell said, "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..." The key word in his statement is world. I understand partnership among friends but that's not the world. How about constant dialog with perceived adversaries? That would better encompass the meaning of the word, world.

dbsaiyaToday  07:55 am JST

I understand partnership among friends but that's not the world. How about constant dialog with perceived adversaries? That would better encompass the meaning of the word, world.

You are under the misunderstanding that the Western nations do not maintain dialog with it's adversaries. But until the autocratic nations decide on not wanting to create a new world order and are willing to openly discuss in a cooperative manner, you will continue to see an expanding partnership among like minded nations as a deterrent to autocratic aggression.

BigPToday  07:24 am JST

EU doesn’t have a military per se.

PESCO (Permanent Structured Cooperation): This program allows willing EU member states to collaborate on defense projects, from joint training to the development of military capabilities. PESCO is designed to foster closer integration among EU members on defense matters.

European Defence Fund (EDF): Established to promote cross-border defense research and technology, the EDF funds joint projects that help develop military capabilities within the EU.

EU Battlegroups: These are rapid-reaction forces formed by EU member states, ready to be deployed on short notice. While they can support missions, their role has been limited by funding and political disagreements.

Good luck if you believe the Europeans were capable to take up the task of defending Japan. Remember now Britain is ruling by the Labour party, the Labour were not enthusiast like the Conservative party does in military matters,they were in no hurry to develop the next generation fighters which Japan is committed to participate !

Hang on, in whose name? There isn't a formed government yet....am I missing something? How can these things be decided when there's no government yet

France's Minister for Europe recently said in an interview that Europe's security policy should not depend on a few voters in US swing states. This got picked up enough for it to reach me in Japan. Agree or disagree, it's a perfectly sensible thing to suggest, and is being suggested by someone high up.

The US military-industrial complex seems to constantly need a boogieman to justify its existence, even non-threats like the Vietcong, Cuba, Iraq, and now Iran, but the rest of the world does not need to copy this.

In Japans situation the more friends and political support the better and that is all this can provide. Militarily it is irrelevant and the military industrial side is down to the individual countries and companies, like Italy and Japan already cooperating on the jet.

It's reassuring to see continuity in Japan's government regarding international relations, despite recent major changes in the ruling party's leadership.

Great to see. Japan really is building up its relationships and interoperability all around the region, and the world.

The EU is a force for good, with a strong focus on justice and human rights. It definitely has its institutional/operational issues but overall is, I think, the right kind of direction for humanity.

It's infinitely preferable to the authoritarian aggression we see from the likes of Putin and Xi.

We DO NOT live in a very dangerous world. We live in a world of growing rivalries, climate accidents and threats of war all created by western governments by divide and rule. we can all live together if not for some western politicians (USA and EU).

dbsaiyaToday 07:55 am JST

The key word in his statement is world. I understand partnership among friends but that's not the world. How about constant dialog with perceived adversaries? That would better encompass the meaning of the word, world.

To add to OssanAmerica's comments, there is also the problem that dictators are completely untrustworthy even if you do make agreements with them: Chamberlain's disastrous Munich Agreement is the classic example.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Munich_Agreement

And, in some cases, they won't talk at all. For instance, Taiwan has constantly offered talks with Xi, but he refuses unless Taiwan accepts that it's part of China. This is clearly nonsense, so talks will not progress.

Therefore, friends and allies need to prepare amongst themselves, outside of/in addition to any dialog with dictators.

elephant200Today 09:11 am JST

Good luck if you believe the Europeans were capable to take up the task of defending Japan.

The EU will certainly help Japan. Even if it puts no boots on the ground, it will provide intelligence, co-ordination, logistics, humanitarian aid, weaponry and equipment, sanctions, possible blockades, etc. These are all crucial.

JindToday 11:04 am JST

all created by western governments

I guess you don't read the news much.

kohakuebisuToday 09:29 am JST

The US military-industrial complex seems to constantly need a boogieman to justify its existence, even non-threats like the Vietcong, Cuba, Iraq, and now Iran, but the rest of the world does not need to copy this.

The EU recognizes full well it has a threat from the east on its hands.

JindToday 11:04 am JST

We DO NOT live in a very dangerous world. We live in a world of growing rivalries, climate accidents and threats of war all created by western governments by divide and rule. we can all live together if not for some western politicians (USA and EU).

The War On Ukraine is still Putin's War.

Borrell, the person in the photo of the article, who also happens to be the top diplomat of the EU, infamously compared and divided regions of the world into jungles and gardens. He can be quoted on that. You'd have to ask him what division he thinks he is now.

..in now..

eu no influence.no power.all is just a formality.

As a lackey of the US, is Japan about to be drawn into the Ukraine and Iran conflicts?

meaningless

EU will cease to exist within a decade

That is the wish of the Russia/China axis and those favoring Russian/China hegemony and totalitarianism.

Following the formula; two almost dead horses equal to one winning thoroughbred? lol

dobre vam zajebavaToday 11:43 am JST

eu no influence.no power.all is just a formality.

Just 3x russia's population and greater wealth per capita.

The two sides will consider a possible intelligence sharing pact, promote exchanges of defense industry information and cooperate in nuclear disarmament efforts.

There is "unproductive talk" rather than action.

They said they will also cooperate in cybersecurity and space defense.

This is all well and good, I have been under the impression that this was already agreed. a given.

Member states need to commit to air sea land joint milltary exercise especially south China sea shipping trading freedom of navigation.

Let be realistic, so called "European/EU milltary defense is purely hypothetical, a proposal to supersede the Common Security and Defense Policy a long long way from the current rather flaccid proposed European Defence Union.

dutchToday  07:23 am JST

EU will cease to exist within a decade

They've been saying that for decades.T"he EEC will be fall apar"t. "The EU will fall apart". But You misunderstand the concept of the EU. It's a political union, not a country, and any country is free to join it or leave it at any time they wish.Not to dissimilar to NATO. It may be bigger or smaller. But it is a political trading block. You may have heard of the EEA Russia would love to see, along with China the EU fall part. The whole point of the EEC, and the EU was to bring about an end to centuries of wars in Europe. It was the whole purpose of the steel and coal treaties set up post-WW2. To make any future wars so economically suicidal it wouldn't be worth it. And how about one of the better Unions that has been going on for 300 years? The United Kingdom. Four countries. Some want to leave, and some want to stay, but the people have chosen to stay. But they can leave if they so "choose". Countries come and some go, Sadly, Putin and Xi, have different ideas on how to move borders...but not with the people's consent. That's the difference.

As for this treaty, I think it benefits Japan militarily more than it helps Europe. Japan is a bit skittish and not quite so reliable when it comes to helping militarily. Hard to think Japan was actually in WW1 on the Allies side. few ships in the med, but they only wanted to expand their empire in Asia by taking German areas. ironically in China. Ouch!

Sorry to lament, Japan South Korea, the region as a whole is under constant threat, the incursions into air space, exclusive economic zones, at sea , essenatil trading shipping lanes, Taiwan.

The gobal democratic community needs to link arms, military, against these depot dictaorships.

The South China Sea, Taiwan Strait is without any doubt essentail to rules based world trade, civil society based on freedoms we are all taking for granted.

A positive step forward by both Japan and the EU. It should be welcomed by all of their citizens.

It is a  positive step forward, Peter14, what is never lost on the government of China/Russia, is the fact there is no commitment other than a political diplomatic photo call, press conference.