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Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi held a meeting with Mr. John Winston Howard, the Prime Minister of Australia at the Prime Minister's Official Residence. At the meeting, Prime Minister Koizumi noted on the dispatch of Australian army troops to Iraq by saying, "I respect and highly appreciate Australia's decision under such a severe and difficult situation." He further extended his gratitude for Prime Minister Howard's support in Japan's bid for permanent membership in the United Nations Security Council. The two prime ministers held a joint press conference after their meeting. At the press conference, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "Japan and Australia will further expand their areas of exchange. I intend to further develop the Japan-Australia relations by taking this opportunity of Prime Minister Howard's visit to Japan." As for the timing of the return of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) in Iraq, Prime Minister Koizumi said, "Although the dispatch period is until December this year, I intend to realize a smooth return of the SDF while paying due consideration to the situation in the local areas and Iraq as a whole, the efforts of the Iraqi people and the responses of the Iraqi government." Furthermore, the two prime ministers agreed to conduct a two-year intergovernmental research study on the advantages and disadvantage of a free trade agreement (FTA). Related Link:Joint Press Conference after the Japan-Australia Summit Meeting