Oceania
Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
June 11, 2014
On June 11, commencing at 5:15 p.m. for approximately 50 minutes, Minister for Foreign Affairs Fumio Kishida held a meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia Julie Bishop. An overview of the meeting is as follows:
1. Bilateral relations
(1) The two Ministers shared the view that the “strategic partnership” between Japan and Australia would be further strengthened and elevated to a new special bilateral relationship.
(2) The two Ministers highly praised the substantive agreement on the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) negotiations in April, and shared the view that they would work expeditiously to sign the EPA and continue to engage proactively in negotiations towards an early conclusion of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).
(3) The two Ministers shared the view on the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries, and confirmed Japan’s support for Australia’s “New Colombo Plan.”
(4) The two Ministers shared the view that although their respective standpoints on the whaling issue differ, this should not influence the amicable bilateral relationship.
2. International architecture
(1) The two Ministers shared the view that they would further cooperate in regional frameworks and the international community.
(2) Minister Kishida expressed his intention to support Prime Minister Tony Abbott’s leadership at the G20.
(3) The two Ministers confirmed that close coordination in the United Nations and the field of non-proliferation and disarmament would continue.
(4) Minister Kishida confirmed to strengthen cyber cooperation.
(5) On the International Symposium on Creating a Society in which Women Shine scheduled to be held in September, Minister Kishida said he would work on promoting active participation of women worldwide.
3. Regional affairs
The two Ministers discussed regional affairs and confirmed continued cooperation on the rule of law in the region’s oceans and airspace, and the North Korea issues, including the abductions issue. They also exchanged views on the incident of the Chinese military fighter aircraft flying unconventionally close to aircraft of the Japanese Self-Defense Force that occurred on the same day.