Top �� What's up around the Prime Minister �� July, 2003

Japan-Australia Summit Meeting Wednesday, July 16, 2003 Click photographs to enlarge Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held talks with Mr. John Howard, the Prime Minister of Australia, at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. During the Summit Meeting, the leaders agreed on the "Australia-Japan Trade and Economic Framework" centered on joint research, aiming at liberalizing trade and investment between Japan and Australia and measures to promote bilateral trade. They also signed the "Australia-Japan Joint Statement on Cooperation to Antiterrorism Measures", which incorporates an action plan on bilateral cooperation toward the reduction of the threat posed by international terrorism. The leaders shared the view to cooperate under the auspices of international coordination for the reconstruction of Iraq and the establishment of a government in Iraq by Iraqis themselves, and also confirmed that they would cooperate closely on issues such as North Korea's nuclear development program. Prime Minister Howard also expressed his support for Japan's policy toward North Korea, including its stance on the issue of the abductions of Japanese nationals. After the Summit Meeting, the leaders held a signing ceremony for the Australia-Japan Trade and Economic Framework and a press conference, followed later by a formal banquet given to welcome Prime Minister Howard.

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Link:	Australia-Japan Trade and Economic Framework
	Australia-Japan Joint Statement on Cooperative to Combat International Terrorism
	Japan-Australia Joint Press Conference