Japan, NATO agree to boost security cooperation

TOKYO, April 15 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Anders Rasmussen and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe met here Monday to boost bilateral cooperation in security area, local media reported.

In a joint political declaration issued by Japan and NATO, both sides agreed to promote cooperation in fighting piracy, countering terrorist, coping with cyber attacks and preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.

Japan and NATO will periodically hold high-level political dialogue so as to coordinate their cooperation, said the declaration.

Abe told a press conference after their meeting that the issue of the joint declaration marks a new start of Japan-NATO relations.

For his part, Rasmussen said cooperation between NATO and Japan in different areas will contribute to international security.

During their meeting, Rasmussen slammed provocations by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), adding that all relevant parties should take actions to seek peaceful solutions.

Rasmussen, who arrived in Japan on April 13, is on a four-day visit to the country. Rasmussen also met with Japanese defense minister earlier in the day and is expected to talk with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Tuesday.

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