EMBARGO: 5.00 p. m. F77/ 155
FOR PRESS21 JULY 1977
MESSAGES FROM THE PRIME MINISTERS OF AUSTRALIA AND JAPAN ON
THE OCCASION OF THE RATIFICATION OF THE BASIC TREATY OF
FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION
MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER TO MR FUKUDA
On the occasion of the exchange of instruments of ratification
of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between
Australia and Japan, I have great pleasure in renewing to you
the best wishes of the Government and people of Australia.
The Treaty formally recognises the successes of the past in our
bilateral relations. It recognises the importance of our
commercial ties and our mutual interest in being reliable
suppliers to and market for each other.
The Treaty does not, however, dwell only on the past.
As I said at the time of signature, it contains within it
firm commitments by both our countries to broadening our relations
beyond the purely commercial, to scientific, cultural, education
and other fields. I am confident that our peoples will actively
pursue this deepening of our mutual awareness and understanding.
I
MESSAGE FROM THE PRIME MINISTER OF JAPAN TO MR FRASER
On this auspicious occasion of the exchange of instruments
of ratification of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation
between Japan and Australia, I take great pleasure in expressing
my profound gratification on behalf of the Government and people
of Japan.
For the last quarter of a century, the mutual complementality
of our two economies has drawn us so close to each other, and
we have grown into indispensable trading partners.
At the same time, the need has recently been keenly felt in
both countries to diversify and broaden mutual contacts and to
develop our relations not only in trade and economy but also
in various other fields. Sincere efforts have beenput forth at
both government and private levels to sustain effective
channels of dialogue and to enhance mutual understanding
between our two peoples.
No doubt the Basic Treaty is wrought out along this line of
thinking. The Treaty is designed as an instrument for cooperation
in consolidating and perpetuating such friendly relations already
existing between our two nations and I am convinced of the
distinctive significance of this instrument.
The foundation for such cooperation has just been laid,
and what matters now is to put the letter and the spirit of
the Treaty into effect for many years to come. Its purpose
will be best served not only by its careful observance but
also by mutual trust and concession in its application by
both parties.
I am certain that the conclusion of this Treaty will add a
new page in the history of Japan-Australia relations.