Japan's Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa met Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. in the Pacific island nation on Sunday.

Hayashi strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and pointed out that unity among countries that share basic values is important at a time when the foundations of the international order are being shaken.

The foreign minister expressed concern about a security cooperation agreement between China and the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific, saying it could have a significant impact on the security environment in the region.

Whipps expressed the same view, and the two agreed to strengthen cooperation for realizing a free and open Indo-Pacific.