NATO, Indo-Pacific partners agree to deepen defence cooperation

Representatives of NATO and the Indo-Pacific Four (IP4) — Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand — agreed at a meeting in Ankara to strengthen cooperation in the defence industry and cybersecurity sectors, reaffirming the close link between European and Indo-Pacific security.

The talks took place on the sidelines of the NATO summit and were attended by Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, Australian Minister for Defence Industry Pat Conroy, and New Zealand Defence Minister Chris Penk, Caliber.Az reports, citing Kyodo.

According to Japan’s Foreign Ministry, the participants discussed a range of international issues, including the war in Ukraine, developments involving China, security in the Indo-Pacific region, North Korea’s activities, and the situation surrounding Iran.

Motegi emphasised the indivisibility of Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific security, pointing to military cooperation between Russia and North Korea. He said that further strengthening ties between NATO and the IP4 countries would contribute to global peace and stability.

For his part, Rutte thanked the Indo-Pacific partners for their support for Ukraine. He also previously stated that China’s recent launch of a submarine-launched ballistic missile underscored the need for closer cooperation between NATO and countries in the region.

By Jeyhun Aghazada