Vilnius hosted the first Lithuanian-Japanese bilateral consultations on cyber security today. Representatives of both countries’ Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Defence and national cybersecurity agencies were discussing strategies of cyber security and prospects of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The countries have agreed to continue and develop the close practical cooperation and political consultations in the area of cyber security.
“Japan is one of the most important partners in the Indo-Pacific. I welcome the intensification in the Lithuanian-Japanese security and defence cooperation, particularly on cyber security. Today we inaugurate our Japan-Lithuania Bilateral Consultations on Cybersecurity that I trust will become an annual event,” said Vice Minister of National Defence Monika Koroliovienė.
According to Vice Minister, the strategic partnership between Lithuania and Japan is a vital component of defending not just physical but also digital borders of democratic nations. Unified effort in cyber defence promotes shared security interest, opportunity to learn from each other and a more effective response to cyber threats and challenges.
The Japanese delegation led by Ambassador in charge of Cyber Policy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) Naoki Kumagai also paid a visit to the Regional Cyber Defence Centre in Kaunas, a subunit of the National Cyber Security Centre.
The onset of defence cooperation between Lithuania and Japan was made official in October 2023 in Tokyo with a cooperation agreement signature between the Ministries of Defence. On the basis of the document, both countries hold political and expert consultations on a regular basis, exchange best practices and data in the area of cyber security, countermeasures against cyber threats, defence technology and other sectors of defence cooperation. Cyber experts of both countries train in exercises in Lithuania and Japan.
