On Wednesday, British Defence Secretary Ben Wallace and Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab virtually participated in the fourth Japan-UK Foreign and Defence Ministers’ Meeting, also called the “2+2” meeting, with their respective Japanese counterparts, Ministers Nobuo Kishi and Toshimitsu Motegi. The ministers reiterated their shared commitment to a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) and pledged to further enhance cooperation as global strategic partners. During the discussion, the four ministers confirmed their commitment to upholding the rules-based international order and spoke of their “opposition to attempts to coerce others in the region” without naming China. Both sides also decided to continue providing leadership in maintaining regional security”.
The UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific was evidenced in its announcement that its aircraft carrier, HMS Queen Elizabeth, and her Carrier Strike Group would make a visit to the region this year. The ministers also discussed the possibility of conducting a joint naval exercise during this visit to further their bilateral efforts towards realizing a FOIP. “The UK’s Indo-Pacific tilt, including the visit of HMS Queen Elizabeth to the region, demonstrates our shared priorities and common strategic interests from maritime security to climate change and free trade,” said Raab about the future visit. Meanwhile, Wallace called it the “most significant Royal Navy deployment in a generation”. The United Kingdom (UK) also announced the deployment of an aircraft carrier to the region.
Both sides further discussed defence cooperation against North Korean vessels by reaffirming that they would further efforts to “promote practical cooperation on monitoring and surveillance activities against illicit ship-to-ship transfers”. In addition, they lauded the progress made on the Project for Cooperative Research on the Feasibility of a Japan and Great Britain Universal Advanced RF system. Under this initiative, Japan promotes cooperation in defence equipment and technology with several countries, including the UK, to “promote the maintenance and enhancement of defence production and technological bases”. The project also aims to strengthen national security, peace, and international cooperation. Furthermore, the ministers appreciated the ongoing dialogues between both countries on the Future Combat Air System/F-X at the subsystem level.
In recent years, the defence partnership between the two countries has deepened. The British Army, through the annually held Vigilant Isles training exercise series, is the only international army other than the United States, to have trained with the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces (JGSDF) on Japanese soil. Moreover, the two countries’ armed forces strengthened their relationship through a recent Maritime Security Arrangement agreed between the Royal Navy and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The arrangement will facilitate the sharing of maritime domain awareness, thus helping secure international shipping transit through the Indo-Pacific and Europe.
Japan has been consistently lobbying for a FOIP in its bilateral and multilateral relationships. In his recent address at the European Union’s (EU) Foreign Affairs Council, Foreign Minister Motegi explained that Japan has been promoting the vision of FOIP, with a focus on the following three pillars: “promotion and consolidation of fundamental principles of the international community”, “pursuit of economic prosperity including through ensuring connectivity,” and a “commitment to peace and stability including maritime security”. The minister further said that FOIP was “an inclusive concept” and was “open to cooperation with any countries which share the same values and vision”. Wednesday’s talks align with Japan’s efforts to expand ties in Europe to promote its vision of a FOIP.
UK and Japan Hold 2+2 Meeting, Reiterate Shared Goal of Free and Open Indo-Pacific
The foreign and defence ministers of the UK and Japan met to discuss their shared commitment to a rules-based international order and a Free and Open Indo-Pacific.
February 5, 2021
SOURCE: NAVAL NEWS