Summary of the Japan-Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting

July 31, 2000
Ministry of Foreign Affairs

1. Overall Assessment

On July 29, while visiting Bangkok for the ASEAN+3 Foreign Ministers Meeting, Minister for Foreign Affairs Yohei Kono held discussions with Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer. It was the first time the two ministers had met for direct talks.

The meeting took place in a friendly atmosphere. The ministers exchanged views on Japan-Australia bilateral relations and Asia-Pacific regional affairs and reaffirmed the need to further strengthen Japan-Australia relations.

2. Summary of Meeting

A. Japan-Australia Relations

Foreign Minister Kono expressed thanks for the attendance of Australian Prime Minister John Howard and the other representatives at the funeral of former Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi, and both ministers affirmed the need to hold a Japan-Australia Ministerial Committee Meeting at the earliest opportunity. Foreign Minister Downer emphasized the need to strengthen the Japan-Australia partnership, and Foreign Minister Kono expressed his intention to work toward tightening relations between the two countries.

B. Regional Affairs

(1) Indonesia

Foreign Minister Downer expressed gratitude for Japan's cooperation with Australia in dealing with the situation in Indonesia and emphasized the importance of maintaining Indonesia's territorial integrity. Foreign Minister Kono pointed out the need to support government leaders of Indonesia including President Abdurrahman Wahid and Vice-President Megawati Sukarnoputri.

(2) East Timor

Foreign Minister Downer expressed gratitude for Japan's financial assistance to the multinational force and the reconstruction of East Timor and noted the need for continued support from Japan, Australia, Europe, and the United States, requesting particularly that Japan maintain its interest in the region. Foreign Minister Kono agreed on the need to provide support with regard to East Timor.

(3) South-Pacific Affairs

Foreign Minister Downer stressed the need to exert appropriate pressure by the international community for the return of democracy to Fiji and said that Australia will continue to strive for a peaceful solution to the situation in the Solomon Islands. Foreign Minister Kono replied by saying that Japan would study what steps to take bearing the Australian response to the question in mind when deciding.