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CHECK AGAINST DELIVERY IRM E ASI ST R
FOR PRESS 6 May 1976
TREATY OF FRIENDSHIP AND COOPERATION
When this Government was-elected to office last year, Japan's
. Prime Minister conveyed to us as well as his congratulations
his desire that the basic treaty of friendship and cooperation.
be broug; ht to an early conclusion.
The Government, sharing Prime Minister Miki's desire, has
given the highest priority to bringing to a successful conclusion
the negotiations for the treaty negotiations which had
become ratherprotracted in 1975.
I can inform the House that the negotiating,, officials
have agredd on a draft text of the treaty of friendship and
cooperation. Both Governments have been closely following
the progress of negotiations. Issues have been referred by
officials to their Governments : for decisions as they arose.
As of today the outstanding issues of substance have been resolved.
It may therefore be expected that the two Governments will have
little difficulty in approving thedraft. It can be expected
that the treaty will be signed by Prime Minister Miki and
myself during my visit to Tokyo in the winter recess.
Strengthening and deepening the bonds between Australia and
Japan is one of this Government's foremost policy objectives.
It is no accident that one of my first international visits
the first planned visit other than my visit to New Zealand
is to Japan and China.
0
Over the past twenty years, economic relations between our.
two countries have expanded in magnitude and importance.
Japan has become Australia's largest trading partner, Japan
is second only to the United States as a supplier of
Japanese imports.
In the trade area, Liberal and National Country Party
"' Governments have long sought to extend Australia's relations
with Japan in 1957 we took the major step of signing
the agreement of commerce with Japan. This agreement was of
great mutual value to r: he two countries and contributed
to the present extent of Australian-Japanese trade.
In 1971 we established the Australia-Japan Ministerial
Committee in recognition of the fundamental importance
of the economic relations of our countries.
But trade relations no matter how fruitful are not and
cannot be the totality of countries contacts with one another.
In the case of Japan and Australia the mutually profitable basis
of economic exchange makes it even more important that there
should be an understanding by the two countries an understanding
of their peoples, language, culture and traditions.
In furtherance. of the objective of greater understanding,
this Government introduced into this Parliament the bill to
establish the Australia-Japan Foundation.
The Foundation will promote the study by Australians and
Japanese of the language, culture, social economic and political
institutions of one another's countries. It will enrich Australian-
Japanese relations both by understanding that knowledge
can bring, and no less importantly, by the personal contacts
between Australians and Japanese thai the Foundation's work
makes possible.
The Possibility of a broad treaty between Japan and Australia
has a long history being first raised in the 1950' s and raised
again in the 1970' s. It was discussed at the first meeting
of the Australia-Japan Ministerial Committee in 1972.
The Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence
reported in favour of a treaty framwork in 1973. Later
that year, the then Prime Minister proposed that negotiations
for a treaty should begin.
The present Government's commitment to successfully conclude
the treaty of friendship and cooperation a-d Prime Minister
Miki's desire that it should be concluded gave new impetus to
negotiations which have been delayed during 1975. The result
was today's outcome.
As the draft of the treaty is still confidential and formally
subject to consideration and approval by the two Governments
it would not be appropriate for me, at this stage, to discuss
it at length. The treaty of friendship and cooperation is
broadranging, and covers virtually the whole relationship
between Australia and Japan.
The treaty is unique in the history of international relations.
It is designed to be an umbrella under which further agreements
may , be make and relations developed in specific areas.
It accords significant reciprocal benefits.
The treaty will be the most important step ever taken by
Australian Governments in our relations with Japan. It will set
the stage for a new and even more cordial, era in our dealings
with the country which, in a generation, has become our main
trading partner, and a corner storneof stability in the region
of which Australia is a part. / 3.
In the treaty, the Governments and the peoples of Australia
adn Jaoan, have fashional an instrument designed to help
close zhose gaps in und: s-anding which remain:; and to
bring new progress and cznfidance in areas where friendship
and cooperation are alreaiy established. It will lead to a relationship
of greater intimacy.
But the significance of the treaty lies not only in our
relations with Japan. The great. understanding and closer ties
between the two countries on a wide range of fronts the treaty
makes possible will not only be of great mutual benefit. It will
also benefit the countries of the west Pacific and strenghthen
forces for peace and security in the Asia-Pacific region.
In.; closing, I place on record the strong spirit of mutual
accommodation which has made the Treaty possible. That
spirit augers well for the century of the Pacific of which we,
Japan and our neighbours, are now embarking.