2016 Trilateral Maritime Talks

By Jason Sherman / October 20, 2016 at 3:50 PM

The top naval officers from the United States, United Kingdom and Japan today inked a first-ever trilateral agreement pledging increased collaboration and cooperation following a half-day summit at the Pentagon.

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson hosted Royal Navy First Sea Lord Adm. Phillip Jones and Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force Adm. Tomohisa Takei for the inaugural trilateral maritime talks, according to a Navy statement.

"This is the first time the three chiefs have held such an event," according to a statement issued by Richardson's staff. "Given the increase in maritime traffic worldwide and current events, the symbolism of this engagement can't be overstated."

The navies of the three nations currently operate together near East Africa, around Europe and the Wester Pacific. "But there is room for deeper cooperation," the agreement states.

"Today, we have agreed upon a course, consistent with our shared national interests, which will give our operational commanders additional opportunities to collaborate and cooperate both in exercises and operations," according to the agreement.

The three naval chiefs agreed to deeper cooperation in exercises and an increase in combined patrols, with specific activities to be worked out in follow-on discussions, according to the Navy statement.

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