E&OE..................
PRIME MINISTER OBUCHI:
Prime Minister Howard and I have just finished our discussion. And
first I would like to briefly share my impressions with you. First
of all, I am very pleased to welcome Prime Minister Howard as an official
guest to the Government of Japan and to have had extremely meaningful
discussion with him today.
Prime Minister Howard and I had frank exchange of views on a wide
range of subject matters including our bilateral relations, issues
concerning the Asia Pacific region and international affairs. Our
fruitful discussion on the future vision for Japan/Australia cooperation
into the 21st century is perhaps the most significant outcome
of our meeting today. Coming out of the meeting with Prime Minister
Howard I am left with a strong impression that Japan and Australia
have indeed become true partners in the Asia Pacific and that we should
continue to build wider and stronger relationship of cooperation as
global partners.
I am happy to announce that on the occasion of the visit by Prime
Minister Howard we agreed to issue a joint statement on electronic
commerce. I also note with satisfaction that Prime Minister Howard
and I have agreed to cooperate closely so that we may bring to reality
initiatives symbolising our bilateral cooperation in the 21st
century such as launching of Australian satellite on Japanese rocket
and convening of Japan/Australia millennium conference.
This has been my second meeting with Prime Minister Howard and I look
forward to building stronger ties through close dialogue between us
such as we had today. Thank you and I now invite Prime Minister Howard
to speak.
PRIME MINISTER HOWARD:
Well, thank you very much Prime Minister. It has been a very good
discussion. We covered a lot of ground - the bilateral relationship
is in very good shape. We have no better customer in the world than
Japan and we have no more broadly based association in our region
than the association we have with Japan and with the Japanese people.
I am pleased to say that we both agreed on how important it was that
the next round within the World Trade Organisation was successful
and that that round should be comprehensive covering all sectors.
We both agreed on the importance of working through APEC to ensure
that there was maximum encouragement for that outcome and both of
us agreed on the importance of continuing steps to include.improve
rather, the financial architecture in the region.
We both also agreed on the importance of close association and improvement
of relations between China and the United States and the importance
of the admission of China into the World Trade Organisation.
Like the Prime Minister of Japan, I welcome the agreement on electronic
commerce and also the involvement in the satellite project by Japan.
I was also most encouraged by the Prime Minister's enthusiastic response
to my proposal for the staging of a millennium conference regarding
the bilateral relationship involving not only members of the two governments
but also the business communities of our two nations and also academics
from our two countries.
We briefly.we also discussed the situation in Indonesia and East Timor
and both agreed on the importance of an improved security situation
in East Timor and also the importance of there being a free and open
vote to determine the future status of that territory.
And finally I thank the Prime Minister for the efforts that have already
been made by Japan to bring about the release of the two Australian
aid workers, Pratt and Wallace. I know that the Japanese Government
will continue to be active in this area and I am most grateful and
I know the Australian people are most grateful for activity in that
area.
And may I conclude by saying that I have greatly enjoyed the hospitality
so far extended to me and my party. The relationship is in very good
condition, it is a treasured relationship to the Australian Government
and the Australian people. And to you, Mr Obuchi, I warmly appreciate
the personal friendship you have displayed towards me and the hospitality
that you have extended. Thank you.
[ends]