(VOVworld) - France and Japan support a "free and open maritime order" in the Asia-Pacific region, said Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe after talks with French President Francois Hollande in Paris on Monday. Abe added that the two leaders agreed to support the stability and prosperity of this region. 

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and French President Francois Holland at a joint press conference in Paris on March 20 (Photo: xinhua/VNA)

Hollande said France supports an increased Japanese peace-keeping role, adding that the two countries will work together to improve the ability of their forces to cooperate.

In its annual report on foreign aid released Tuesday, the Japanese government promised to help bolster the surveillance capabilities of Southeast Asian nations, including offering patrol vessels to maintain maritime security in vital sea lanes. Japan will also continue to support developing nations in building infrastructure using its ODA.