Meeting between Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, and The Hon Simon Crean MP, Minister for Trade of Australia

October 26, 2009
Japanese

October 26, 2009 (Mon), Mr. Katsuya Okada, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, had a meeting with The Hon Simon Crean, MP, Minister for Trade of Australia, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for about 40 minutes from 9:35 a.m. The topics discussed at the meeting are as follows.

General Remarks

Both ministers confirmed that strong Japan-Australia relations were already in development, especially with respect to the economy and trade. They also acknowledged that the two countries have an important strategic partnership in the Asia-Pacific region in which they share a fundamental set of values. They shared the view to even enhance the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

Regional Framework

With respect to the vision of an East Asian community proposed by Mr. Yukio Hatoyama, Prime Minister of Japan, and an Asia-Pacific regional community proposed by The Hon. Mr. Kevin Rudd, MP Prime Minister of Australia, the ministers recognized the importance of both initiatives and agreed to continue talks in the future from the point of view of long term challenges including strategic regional stability, security, and methods of economic integration.

Japan-Australia EPA Negotiations

Both ministers recognized the important role that a Japan-Australia EPA would play in strengthening economic relations between both countries. While taking into consideration the mutual sensitivity shared by both countries, both ministers shared the view that their countries would cooperatively work towards a conclusion to an EPA and that they would seek a realistic and constructive solution beneficial to both countries.

G20 and the Doha Round

Both ministers welcomed the annualisation of the G20 and, in light of the importance of quickly concluding the Doha Round, they confirmed that their countries would cooperate towards the progression of negotiations.

Climate Change

Minister Crean expressed his high evaluation of the Government of Japan’s ambitious stance towards climate change issues and stated that the administration of Prime Minister Rudd would also place high priority on such issues. Both ministers also agreed that the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from developing countries was important and that their countries would cooperate with respect to bilateral Japan-Australia relations as well as a multilateral framework between other countries in order to progress future international negotiations.

As a final remark, Minister Crean invited Minister Okada to Australia at any time that would be convenient. Minister Okada said he would like to consider that possibility.

(END)

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