(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) (With POL-EU-JAPAN)
TOKYO, May 12 (KUNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida vowed, Thursday, following talks with European Union (EU) leaders, to 'implement strong sanctions against Russia in cooperation with the G-7, including the EU, and strengthen support for Ukraine.'
The premier, at a joint press conference with the EU senior officials, noted that the two sides agreed to urge other Asian and African nations for cooperation against Russia's military operations of Ukraine.
On his part, European Council President Charles Michel stated, 'Japan is our closest strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific region. Today we discussed deepening strategic and economic partnership between the European Union and Japan.
'Our cooperation in Ukraine is critical in Europe, but it's also important in the Indo-Pacific, and we also want to deepen our consultations on a more assertive China,' the president added.
Kishida, Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen agreed to cooperate on sanctions against Russia and realize a 'free and open 'Indo-Pacific,' according to a joint statement released after their meeting in Tokyo.
The leaders reaffirmed their support to Ukraine in cooperation with the Group of Seven (G-7) and other countries.
'The EU and Japan demand that Russia immediately stop its military aggression in the territory of Ukraine, immediately and unconditionally withdraw all forces and military equipment from the entire territory of Ukraine, and fully respect Ukraine's territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence within its internationally recognized borders,' the statement asserted.
As for issue of sanctioning Russian gas, the two sides agreed to cooperate to keep global energy markets stable and help ensure each other's energy supply, in particular supply of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
During the talks, they opposed any unilateral attempt to change the status quo by force, regardless of the location, as it is a serious threat to the entire international order.
Reaffirming their cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region the leaders stated: 'We will enhance cooperation for a free and open Indo-Pacific, which is inclusive and based on the rule of law and democratic values, as well as unconstrained by coercion, based upon our respective, complementary strategies for the Indo-Pacific region.'
The discussion also covered cooperation in promoting economic security, environment, and digital partnership. (end)
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