EU and Japan enter new era of ties with strategic partnership

Brussels [Belgium], January 2: The European Union and Japan on Wednesday entered a new era of co-operation, as a strategic partnership agreement came into force.
"This milestone agreement will guide future engagement between the parties and ensure closer political and economic cooperation on an array of bilateral, regional and multilateral issues," the Council said in a statement published on New Year's Day.
The Council of the European Union, often referred to as the Council, is one of the EU's main decision-making bodies. In particular, the partnership is intended to intensify co-operation in the fight against terrorism and serious international crimes as well as against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.
The agreement - which was reached in 2018 - also provides for closer ties in areas such as space, energy, transport, education and research.
Thanks to the new partnership, "the EU and Japan will be better placed to strengthen the multilateral and rules-based global order having the UN at its core, and defend joint values and principles," the statement continued.
These included the rule of law, democracy, respect for human rights, open markets and free and fair trade. (DPA)
Source: Qatar Tribune