NATO, Japan agree on closer cooperation in Afghanistan

A high-level NATO delegation and the Japanese authorities have agreed on closer cooperation in Afghanistan, said NATO's spokesman on Wednesday.

The NATO delegation, led by Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy, Martin Erdmann, is of the highest level ever to Japan, said James Appathurai.

Erdmann on Wednesday finalized a framework for Japan-NATO cooperation in Afghanistan, he said. "This framework will enable Japan to provide humanitarian assistance and support to the NATO- led Provincial Reconstruction Teams."

Japan will spend several million U.S. dollars each year in this context, said the spokesman, adding that the specific amounts will be announced by the Japanese authorities.

Erdmann and the Japanese authorities have discussed a wide range of security issues, including NATO's transformation, NATO's operations, as well as non-proliferation, said the spokesman. The two sides also discussed the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

Japan is one of the countries outside the Euroatlantic area that NATO would like to have closer ties in order to forge so- called "global partnerships."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe visited the NATO headquarters in January, the first ever by a Japanese head of government.

Source: Xinhua