BANGKOK, June 8 (Bernama) — Visiting Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani and his Thai counterpart, Prawit Wongsuwan, agreed Tuesday to accelerate working-level talks on a deal needed to export Japanese defence equipment to Thailand, Japan’s Jiji Press reported.

Following their meeting in Bangkok, Nakatani told reporters that a bilateral pact on the transfer of defence equipment and technology “needs to be concluded at some stage” to promote cooperation between the two countries in the field.

Nakatani also expressed eagerness to continue talks with Thailand to bring bilateral cooperation on maritime security and counterterrorism into shape.

At a meeting in Bangkok, Nakatani and Prawit, who doubles as deputy prime minister, shared the view that maintaining order based on international law is crucial to regional stability, apparently in connection with China’s development of military facilities in disputed waters in the South China Sea.

The two officials also underscored the need to ensure freedom of navigation and flight.

On the same day, Nakatani and Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha had a separate meeting, also covering the South China Sea issue.

Prayut expressed his understanding of Japan’s position that China is trying to change the status quo by military means and called for resolving the issue in a peaceful way, according to Thai officials.

— BERNAMA

Original post @bernama.com