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Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gives a press conference on May 7, 2014 in Brussels. EU president Herman Van Rompuy was also present

EU President Herman Van Rompuy said talks with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe showed both sides took a "like-minded" approach to global challenges, notably on Ukraine where both men urged Russia to reverse course or face further sanctions.

The two leaders rejected Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and called on Moscow to "refrain from further steps" to escalate the crisis, Van Rompuy told a press conference.

The Ukraine crisis matters to Japan, which hopes it can rely on Western support as it faces down an increasingly assertive China in its own neighbourhood.

Abe's visit to Brussels, topping a nine-day, six-country trip to Europe, "demonstrates how much value Japan attaches to our relationship," Van Rompuy said, flanked by European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso.

A Strategic Partnership Agreement being negotiated will "enhance the security partnership," with Japan participating in EU crisis management operations and its efforts to counter terrorism and piracy.

Van Rompuy said talks on a free trade deal, however, were at a critical phase as the EU reviewed their progress amid concerns that European companies, especially automakers, may not get adequate access to the Japanese market.

Barroso said he hoped and expected the review would give the all-clear and the talks could be speeded up, with Abe hoping for a conclusion in 2015.

Some concerns "are only normal," Barroso said, adding: "I am really confident of making a great success of this agreement."

At his seperate press conference, Abe said he wanted the trade talks to be concluded as soon as possible.

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European Union, Japan Stress Common Ground on Global Security