Meeting between Minister for Foreign Affairs Seiji Maehara and The Hon. Tony Abbott MP, Leader of the Opposition, Australia

December 15, 2010
Japanese

Mr. Seiji Maehara, Minister for Foreign Affairs, met with The Hon. Tony Abbott MP, Leader of the Opposition, Australia, in Tokyo for about 30 minutes from 3:20 p.m. on December 15 (Wed). The outline of the meeting is as follows (The Hon. Abbott was visiting Japan under the Opinion Leader Invitation Program).

Bilateral Relations in General

Minister Maehara welcomed the visit and stated that he had also visited Australia at the invitation of the Government of Australia when he belonged to the opposition camp and had strongly recognized the importance of Australia at the time. He added that he would like to cooperate in strengthening relations between Japan and Australia beyond differences between the governing and opposition sides. In response, The Hon. Abbott stated that he shares completely the same perception, that Japan is an important democratic country in the Asia-Pacific region and that he would like to endeavor to strengthen bilateral relations in the economic and security spheres.
Economic Relations

The Hon. Abbott said that he understands the presence of difficult problems regarding the proposed Free Trade Agreement between Japan and Australia but that he would like personally to cooperate for the early conclusion of the FTA by overcoming such problems. Minister Maehara noted that he and The Hon. Craig Emerson MP, Minister for Trade had agreed during his visit to Australia last month to make a fresh start for a bilateral Economic Partnership Agreement, pledging to make efforts for its early conclusion. Minister Maehara also stated that he would appreciate if Japan could assist the development of infrastructure, including high-speed railway construction and water supply projects in Australia. He expressed gratitude toward the Government of Australia for promising a stable supply of rare earths to Japan.
Cooperation in the Security Area

Minister Maehara and The Hon. Abbott agreed that it is useful to further strengthen and expand cooperation among Japan, Australia and the United States in the area of security and to promote exchange of views among the three countries as well as between Japan and Australia, in view of recent developments in the Asia-Pacific region. Minister Maehara noted that it is only with Australia, except for the Untied States, that Japan is seeking to conclude the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement. He added that Japan and Australia are also negotiating for the Agreement on the Protection of Classified Information.
People to People Exchange

The two sides shared the view that there is much room to expand people to people exchange between Japan and Australia, and agreed to cooperate in further expansion.

(END)

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