NATO ships trained with two Japanese naval ships in the Eastern Mediterranean last August. Photo: NATO
China and North Korea’s support for Russia’s war in Ukraine has prompted NATO to meet with Korean and Japanese officials.
NATO Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Boris Ruge, met last week with senior officials in Seoul and Tokyo to discuss their over-lapping security concerns.
He also met with the ambassadors of NATO nations in the two capital cities.
A NATO statement says they discussed the European alliance’s relations with both countries including options for strengthening the partnerships.
Topics addressed ranged from defence industry co-operation, cyber defence and countering hybrid threats to disinformation and artificial intelligence.
Last week, Japan opened a dedicated diplomatic mission to NATO.
Around the same time as the meetings, NATO’s 32 military chiefs and 27 counterparts from allied partners met in Brussels to talk about vigilance, deterrence, stronger military ties and continual support for Ukraine.
Chairman of the alliance’s Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer stressed the need to strengthen their defence and support Ukraine.
The NATO defence chiefs also met with representatives from 27 partner countries to discuss military co-operation, interoperability and information sharing. Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Japan were involved.
On Ukraine, Admiral Bauer says “it is in the political and military interest of the alliance to support Ukraine not only now, but also in the future”.
AUST ENVOY
The moves coincide with Australia announcing former defence chief and retired general Angus Campbell as ambassador to NATO.
The appointment was announced by Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
She says general Campbell (ret) will serve as Ambassador to Belgium, European Union (EU) and NATO.
“His experience as chief of the (Australia) Defence Force from 2018-24 will help deepen Australia’s peace and security co-operation with NATO, both in the Euro-Atlantic and the Indo-Pacific,” she says.
“Australia and NATO have a longstanding relationship based on a shared commitment to stability, peace and prosperity.
“This is demonstrated through regular political and defence engagement.”
