E&OE
1 May 2009
Joint Press Conference with Mr Nakasone, Minister for Foreign Affairs, Japan
Subjects: Japan-Australia relations; whaling; Fiji; swine flu.
MR SMITH: Firstly can I officially welcome Japan's Foreign Minister - Foreign Minister Nakasone - to Australia, and also to Perth.
This is not Minister Nakasone's first visit to Australia, but it is his first visit to Australia as Foreign Minister; and it's the first visit to Australia by a Minister of the Aso Government.
Can I also say Minister how pleased I am to welcome you to Perth and to Western Australia. And I'm told this is the first visit by a Japanese Foreign Minister to Perth.
Australia and Japan have a comprehensive, economic, security and strategic partnership; and Japan has been Australia's closest friend and strongest supporter in our region for many years.
Our economic relationship of course started with minerals and petroleum resources from Western Australia: originally iron ore, and of course more recently liquefied natural gas.
And today our economic relationship is much broader than that. For many years, Japan has been Australia's largest export market, and of course today is, today is Japan is Australia's largest trading partner.
Our security and strategic relationship is of course reflected by the joint security Memorandum of Understanding that Australia and Japan has. This was recently reflected by the so-called 2+2 meeting in December in Tokyo last year, meetings between our respective Foreign Affairs and Defence Ministers.
And today Foreign Minister Nakasone and I have discussed the array of issues that our bilateral, regional, and global relationship cater for and deal with.
We've spoken about the potential for greater cooperation between Australia and Japan on development assistance matters. Not just in our own region, the Pacific, but also internationally, including in Afghanistan.
We've also spoken about an issue dear to both our Prime Ministers' hearts, and that is enhancing educational contact between Australian students and Japanese students, particularly
Australian students learning Japanese language, and becoming more familiar with Japanese culture and society.
In our region we've spoken about today our disappointment about developments n Fiji, and our joint concern about developments in Sri Lanka.
Internationally, we've spoken about Australia and Japan's joint desires to promote nuclear non-proliferation and the ultimate abolition of nuclear weapons; the joint commission; the international Commission for Non-Proliferation and Nuclear Disarmament, chaired jointly by former Foreign Ministers of Australia and Japan. And I very much welcomed Foreign Minister Nakasone's recent extensive speech on non-proliferation and nuclear disarmament.
In that context, we've also spoken about our joint concern for nuclear proliferation issues in North Korea and in Iran.
And finally, on the economic front, we've spoken about our ongoing joint cooperation as members of the G20, and the strategic and economic importance of Australia and Japan striking a Free Trade Agreement or an enterprise partnership agreement.
So Minister, I am very pleased to warmly welcome you here, and I'd be very pleased if you could make your opening remarks.
MR NAKASONE: [Through an interpreter] - Minister Smith, thank you very much for those words.
Over the last 30 years, I've, on many occasions, had the opportunity to visit Australia, but, this visit to Perth here in Western Australia is my first. It's a place I've long wanted to come to, and I'm delighted that that's finally a reality.
I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to [indistinct] for his consideration and management on the occasion of my visit.
The meetings this morning; I talked this morning, as Minister Smith has already indicated, we covered a number of vital issues in, problems and issues that are facing our countries in the international arena, and in the region.
We were able to cover a very broad range of topics and have very meaningful talks.
Not only is Perth, Western Australia Minister Smith's hometown, but, as he's already indicated, this State has strong ties to Japan for, and has had those strong ties for many years through resources and food products.
I think in that sense it has been an appropriate place for the Minister and I to go to discussions about the future of the Australia Japan relationship.
Minister Smith has already addressed, indicated the range of topics that we covered, and the content of the agreements that we reached.
But I would like to take this opportunity - at the risk of doubling up - just to make two points.
Firstly, we have confirmed that Japan and Australia will cooperate on global, continue to cooperate on global issues, such as peace and stability in Afghanistan.
Since issuing a joint declaration on the security cooperation in 2007, both Japan and Australia have continued to cooperate on security, and we look forward to cooperation on specific matters going forward.
The second point is that we have - Minister Smith and I have taken the proposal put forward by Prime Minister Aso of an [indistinct] of the Australia Japan conference last year, and we have agreed to launch a joint working group to discuss ways to enhance Australia Japan exchange, primarily of people who are learning Japanese.
It goes without saying that people to people exchange is the basis for a strong relationship between Japan and Australia. And we expect that this group of experts will generate positive proposals for us.
As part of our, of our considerations on this matter, in our meeting I proposed that as one way of enhancing Japan Australia exchange, the Japanese Government would newly extend an invitation to 50 Australians who are learning Japanese, and invite them to Japan to deepen their knowledge of Japanese business.
There are a number of aspects on which, which we can cooperate, but Minister Smith also made a very interesting proposal in relation to enhancing Australia-Japan exchange; and in the context of the, just mentioned working group, I expect there will be discussion of the initiatives of both governments.
And, we have also concurred that discussions of, the question of collaboration on development, a development will take place at a working level.
And that is basically my summation of our talks today.
MR SMITH: Well Minister, thank you very much.
Because of our time constraints, we've got an agreed list or order. The first question is from Miss Iwata from NHK, the Japanese Broadcasting Commission.
JOURNALIST: My question is addressed to Minister Nakasone.
In relation to the question of swine influenza, would you please tell us sir, what, how you addressed this matter in your Australia - Japan talks today? And also what you would anticipate, what initiatives you would anticipate as Foreign Minister?
MR NAKASONE: [Through an interpreter] - We, this morning, from the Japanese Government, has had two reports on this issue, and I am aware that it is apparent that we now have a possibility of an infection from this disease in Japan.
Certainly, we hope that this possibility is not confirmed, and that it does not extend beyond this one person.
Minister Smith and I spoke of this matter in our talks today, and we are in agreement, we are in accord that this is a matter that calls for united cooperation by members of the international community, and Australia and Japan… given that it is, that it is a crisis situation; and Australia and Japan will continue to share information on the matter.
We have received a request from the Mexican Government for masks to, for use in this, on this occasion, and we have organised to send a shipment of masks to Mexico tomorrow.
Tomorrow I go from here to Iran and Egypt. I am anticipating that I will also discuss this matter with those two representatives in those two countries, and consider what we can do to cooperate with them on the issue.
Thank you.
MR SMITH: Thank you Minister. Our next question is from the Australian Broadcasting Commission.
JOURNALIST: Question for the Japanese Foreign Minister - does Australia's military build up in the Defence White Paper risk adding to the regional arms race, and be viewed as particularly provocative to China?
MR NAKASONE: [Through an interpreter] - Yes, I am aware that the White Paper, Defence White Paper will be published soon.
Certainly, in relation to China, it is as you have indicated over the last 21 years, China has continued to increase its military expenditure in double digit figures; and from the point of view of the region, it is obviously causing some, an issue of some concern.
Each nation, both be it Australia or be it Japan, will reach its own decisions in relation to this matter.
Certainly I'm aware that Australia, in terms of military expenditure, has announced it will be enhancing its defence capabilities.
But, each nation has its own circumstances; has its own environment. I don't think it's appropriate for me to comment on matters of Australian national defence.
I would have to say that I personally am not au fait with the detail on this, on this question, and I do apologise that perhaps I have not been able to answer your question as fully as you might like.
MR SMITH: Minister, I thought you did quite well.
The Defence White Paper will be released tomorrow by the Minister for Defence and the Prime Minister.
It'll be the first Defence White Paper that Australia has produced in nearly a decade. It is of course not aimed at any particular nation. It is a Defence White Paper which will map out
how Australia sees its national security arrangements and interests over the forthcoming period.
And so, the detail of that will be contained in the White Paper tomorrow, which the Minister for Defence and the Prime Minister will release.
And of course, in accordance with sensible and usual practices, we've ensured that appropriate nations have been, have been briefed on the outline of the White Paper.
The next question is from Mr Tikasa from NKS.
JOURNALIST: [Through interpreter] - I would like to ask this question to both Ministers. According to what we have heard from New Zealand, Minister McCully will be announcing the obligation of the constitution as of 12 o'clock today.
I understand that, with the upcoming PALM meeting in May, you will have to consider whether Fiji will be invited or not - Fiji being one of the fundamental nations in the Pacific region.
So I would like to hear Mr Nakasone's views as whether Fiji will be invited or not. And I would also like to ask Minister Smith whether or not you have any views about invitation of Fiji to the conference.
JOURNALIST: May I - something - what I heard from New Zealand is Mr McCully - the Foreign Minister said that, the position of PIF membership of Fiji will be suspended…
MR SMITH: Sure. Yes.
JOURNALIST: …tonight. So, whether the Japanese Government intend on doing, invite Fiji to the, to [indistinct] in Hokkaido or not, and if so, does your government consider the Japanese Government [indistinct] Fiji?
MR NAKASONE: [Through an interpreter] - Our country, Japan is of the view that dialogue is, it should not only be pressure, but dialogue also, that it's important. And, on that basis we have continued to lobby the Fiji Government to, to restore democracy.
We, I am aware that the constitution has been suspended, and obviously we have, we are concerned that this could lead to a reversal of the democratic process in Fiji.
We have recent… we have just released a Foreign Ministry spokesperson statement, in which we have called for Fiji to return as quickly as possible to a democratic form of government.
And, Japan will continue to lobby the Fiji Government in this regard.
In relation to the fifth Pacific Island Leaders meeting, and an invitation to Fiji for that, that is a decision that our government will take at the appropriate time.
MR SMITH: Thank you for your question.
Australia very much regrets events as they have unfolded in Fiji. Like Japan, Australia very strongly supports the return of Fiji to democracy.
The effect of the resolution passed unanimously by the Pacific Island Forum Leaders meeting in Port Moresby in January of this year, is that effective tomorrow - i.e. the first day after 1 May, given that Fiji has shown no intention to return to democracy, and on the contrary as torn up its constitution - the effect of that resolution will be Fiji is automatically suspended from the forums and the meetings of the Pacific Island Forum itself.
So far as the PALM 5 meeting, hosted by Japan, that is a very important engagement between Japan and the Pacific, and Australia warmly welcomes its occurrence and we wish it every success. Whether Fiji is invited or attends that meeting is of course entirely a matter for Japan.
MR SMITH: The next question is The Australian newspaper.
JOURNALIST: This is a question for the Japanese Foreign Minister.
Does Tokyo share our Prime Minister's concerns about the rise of China's military? And does the Japanese Government support Australia's soon to be released Defence White Paper?
MR NAKASONE: [Through an interpreter] - In terms of the question on Chinese military strength; I believe I have already addressed that in my earlier answer. As I said at that time, matters of national defence are matters for the judgement of the country concerned.
Defence is a matter for protection of the particular country, and therefore, military capability is a question for that, for that, for those countries - defence [indistinct] those countries.
In terms of the increase in Chinese military strength, yes, that is increasing and, as I said, it is certainly a cause for concern.
On the question of the Australian White Paper on defence, again, I believe I have responded to that. I am not cognisant of the detail or the content of that document as yet. But, I would say again that military capability is an issue for individual countries, for the judgment of individual countries, and I apologise but I don't believe I can comment any further on that.
If I may just add one more thing. I think there always needs to be a certain degree of transparency in these matters and I think it's also important that countries - and I make no reference to any particular country - but that countries endeavour not to cause concern to their neighbouring nations. I believe that's a general point of consideration that any country should take into account.
MR SMITH: Thank you, Minister. The final question is again to the Australian Broadcasting Commission.
JOURNALIST: A question for both ministers. There's been lots of talk of cooperation between Australia and Japan today, but how much of a sticking point does whaling remain between the two countries?
MR NAKASONE: [Through an interpreter] - Well, perhaps if I could first respond. I am aware that there is opposition from some countries to the special permit whaling that Japan is undertaking. However the special permit whaling that Japan is undertaking is in accordance with the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling and is a lawful activity that is sufficient to not affect the resource.
In that regard, we look for objective debate to be engaged in on legal and scientific grounds. However, in relation to the interference visited upon our national survey vessels by the Sea Shepherd - I think just the other day there was another incident from that vessel - these actions are illegal and extremely dangerous. They place life at risk and in that sense cannot be condoned.
Obviously, debate is a healthy thing and the matter should be discussed. However, we would hope that dangerous activities of this nature would not be engaged in; and I might say that the International Whaling Commission is in accord in censuring these types of activities.
Obviously, this is a matter that does need to be resolved. What we would hope is that - and what we intend is to continue to make diplomatic efforts to resolve the matter in a manner that will not jeopardise the very good relationship that exists between Australia and Japan.
MR SMITH: Thank you, Minister. Yes, the Minister and I discussed whaling as we have on previous occasions. I made, again, the point that Australia's view is that Japan should cease whaling in the Great Southern Oceans. We agreed that we would continue our diplomatic efforts to seek to resolve this issue between Australia and Japan, both bilateral diplomatic efforts, and also multilateral diplomatic efforts, before the International Whaling Commission.
Australia and Japan, as I said at the outset, have a comprehensive economic, strategic and security partnership. It's of long standing. From time to time there will be issues about which we disagree. We want to resolve this issue diplomatically, but whatever the outcome of this issue, I very strongly believe it will not disturb the fundamental strength and the nature of the relationship and the partnership between Australia and Japan.
But we continue very much to pursue our diplomatic efforts and we've also, as Foreign Minister Nakasone has today, we've also in the past very strongly made our view that when protests occur on the high sea they need to be consistent with the law of the sea and should not put safety and welfare of any individual in danger.
Can I thank members of the Japanese media and members of the Australian media for their attendance today. And can I, again, warmly thank Foreign Minister Nakasone for his official visit to Australia and Western Australia. Thank you.
MR NAKASONE: [Through an interpreter] - Thank you very much.
[ENDS]
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