Mr. Yasushi Noguchi, Director-General for International Affairs, Defence Policy Bureau, Ministry of Defense of Japan, paid a visit to Lithuania early this week. It has been the first high-level visit by a security official of Japan to Lithuania for bilateral security consultation of such kind so far.
The guests were welcomed to the Ministry of National Defence by Head of the International Relations and Operations Group Vytautas Keršanskas. Mr. Y. Noguchi also met with Vice Minister M. Abukevičius and ministerial and divisional experts in the fields of defence policy, cyber security, cooperation in NATO framework, and familiarized with the regional security situation in the wake of the Russian war in Ukraine.
Both sides have agreed unanimously it is necessary to continue supporting Ukraine and demonstrate by the unity of the international community that disrespect of international rules and norms will not be accepted and every authoritarian regime’s aggressive and expansionist policy will be dealt a firm response. Director-General for International Affairs of the Defence Policy Bureau, Ministry of Defense of Japan, reiterated the message of the Prime Minister, “today we talk Ukraine but we may be talking Asia tomorrow.”
V. Keršanskas informed the head of the Japanese delegation of Lithuania’s interest to hold regular political consolations, share information on Russian and Chinese activity, establish contacts in the areas of maritime security and maritime situational awareness, and strengthen academic cooperation. While Director of the Regional Cyber Defence Centre Col Romualdas Petkevičius also invited Mr. Y. Noguchi to consider joining the projects developed at the Centre, share information for the purpose of the regular cyberspace reviews.
Photo credit: A. Pliadis
