Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh have agreed to aim for the early signing of a bilateral defense cooperation pact.

The two leaders held talks in New York on Sunday.

They reaffirmed that maintaining and strengthening a free and open international order based on the rule of law is becoming more important amid deepening conflict and division in the global community.

Kishida and Khurelsukh agreed to further expand cooperation between the two counties as "special strategic partners."

They welcomed that their governments have agreed in principle on the pact concerning the transfer of defense equipment and technology. They also agreed with the aim of signing it at an early date.

Referring to North Korea, the two sides confirmed that they will continue to work closely to call on the country to fully abide by UN Security Council resolutions.

Kishida thanked Mongolia for its understanding and cooperation over the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals.

Mongolia has had friendly ties with North Korea.