Macron calls for ceasefire in Mideast during visit to Japan

Tokyo: French President Emmanuel Macron called for a ceasefire in West Asia during a visit to Japan on Wednesday. Macron, who held talks with Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi, said they both believe in international law, the international order and the democratic values, adding: “This is why ... we both advocate for a return to peace, a ceasefire, calm, and free passage through the Strait of Hormuz.” Takaichi said the two leaders agreed on the importance of quickly de-escalating the conflict and to secure the safety of the vital waterway and the stable supply of goods. 

“With the international environment increasingly severe, I believe it is especially meaningful for the Japanese and French leaders to deepen our friendship and cooperation,’ Takaichi said at a joint news conference at the Akasaka Palace in Tokyo.

The leaders said they also agreed to deepen their cooperation in defence, rare earths development, nuclear energy, space and other areas.

Japan and France have in recent years bolstered defence ties in the Indo-Pacific, where France, which has troops, citizens and resources in the region, seeks to protect its interests and show its presence alongside like-minded democracies concerned about China's growing influence. Earlier on Tuesday, Japanese Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi and his French counterpart Catherine Vautrin signed a road map of defence ties through increased joint exercises and exchanges in the Indo-Pacific.

—AP