Japan-Australia Relations
Japan-Australia Summit Telephone Talk
On December 16, commencing at 12:55 p.m. for approximately 15 minutes, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a telephone talk with the Hon. Tony Abbott MP，Prime Minister of Australia. The overview is as follows.
1. Prime Minister Abe offered his condolences to the victims of the hostage situation in Sydney and to their families. Prime Minister Abe expressed his respect for the leadership Prime Minister Abbott demonstrated to settle the situation , and stated that he stands in strong solidarity with Prime Minister Abbott working to achieve a peaceful and tolerant society. Prime Minister Abbott appreciated the warm words of Prime Minister Abe.
2. Prime Minister Abbott congratulated Prime Minister Abe on his party’s victory in the general elections of the House of Representatives. Prime Minister Abe thanked Prime Minister Abbott and stated he looked forward to further deepening the Japan-Australia “special relationship” and advancing the bilateral cooperation for peace and stability in the region and the international community.
3. The two leaders confirmed that the two countries would continue to enhance their cooperative relations in the economic and security fields, beginning with the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement scheduled to take effect in January 2015.