site.btaBulgaria, Japan United by Shared Democratic Values, Desire for Peace - Defence Minister Zapryanov

Bulgaria and Japan are united by shared democratic values, a desire for peace, and respect for the rules-based international order, Bulgarian Defense Minister Atanas Zapryanov said, as quoted by his Ministry’s press service. Zapryanov met with Japan's Parliamentary Vice-Minister of Defence Yozo Kaneko on Wednesday.

The two discussed bilateral defence cooperation. The sides expressed high appreciation for their bilateral relations and highlighted the potential for expanding cooperation in cybersecurity, high technology, and military education. The meeting also covered topics such as the current security environment and the possibility of Japanese participation in Black Sea security initiatives. The sides explored opportunities for joint trilateral or multilateral military exercises and cooperation in crisis response preparedness. Emphasis was placed on countering disinformation and hybrid threats in defense-related areas.

Vice-Minister Kaneko is currently on a three-day visit to Bulgaria. During his stay, he met with Deputy Defense Minister Radoslav Iliev, toured the NATO Crisis Management and Disaster Response Centre of Excellence, and visited the Rakovski National Defence College, where he delivered a lecture on security in the Pacific region, the Defense Ministry reported.

On Tuesday, Iliev and Kaneko discussed the development of industrial and defence cooperation and military education.