Home > News > The Prime Minister in Action > April 2014 > Japan-Australia Summit Meeting, Joint Press Announcement, and Banquet Hosted by the Prime Minister
Japan-Australia Summit Meeting, Joint Press Announcement, and Banquet Hosted by the Prime Minister
Monday, April 7, 2014
Photograph of Prime Minister Abe shaking hands with the Hon. Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia
Photograph of the Japan-Australia Summit Meeting
Photograph of the Japan-Australia joint press announcement (1)
Photograph of the Japan-Australia joint press announcement (2)
Photograph of the banquet hosted by the Prime Minister (1)
Photograph of the banquet hosted by the Prime Minister (2)
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held talks with the Hon. Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia, and then held a joint press announcement, at the State Guest House.
Following this, Prime Minister Abe hosted a banquet for Prime Minister Abbott and said in his address,
“Over the past six months or so, I have met with Tony during the East Asia Summit (EAS) in October, the Davos Meeting in January, and now we are meeting again. I believe this demonstrates the closeness of the Japan-Australia relationship. I think that this is truly symbolic.
In particular, I am especially pleased that on this occasion we have been able to reach a general agreement on the Japan-Australia EPA negotiations, which we started when I was serving as Prime Minister in 2007.
In addition, this visit marks the first time that a foreign head of state has attended a meeting of the National Security Council. In the field of security as well, we have confirmed that we will be enhancing Japan-Australia cooperation.
Japan and Australia have long enjoyed close and friendly relations as strategic partners who share universal values and strategic interests such as democracy, basic human rights, and the rule of law.
In our current meeting, Tony and I agreed to further elevate Japan-Australia relations into a special relationship and to build an even more robust partnership.
Of course, the good relationship between our two countries was not realized overnight. It is thanks to the persistent efforts of everyone gathered here tonight, including diet members, members of the business community, and those involved in cultural exchange, that we have been able to build up our relations.
I am once again keenly aware of just how significant a role you have all played to date as bridges between our two countries. I would like to take this opportunity to express my respect for the tremendous contribution everyone has made.
I would like to ask that everyone continue to work even more actively to elevate the Japan-Australia partnership to a new dimension and to contribute jointly to the peace, security, and prosperity of the region, and of the globe.”
