PENNY WONG, FOREIGN MINISTER: Minister Motegi, thank you so much for your warm welcome. Can I say how delighted I am to be here with my delegation on this, the 50th anniversary of our Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, which has been so foundational to our relationship.
Our prime ministers have set a clear ambition to elevate further our partnership, our Special Strategic Partnership, during this anniversary year. And the purpose of my visit is, in the first part, to work with you to improve practical outcomes that affect the scale of that ambition. We are looking forward very much to the Prime Minister Takaichi coming to Australia next week and we want that visit to be successful.
Our two countries have never been closer, and we have never been more strategically aligned. And in today's world this has never been more important. We both share a commitment to a region that is peaceful, stable and prosperous, we both share a commitment to sovereignty being respected and rules being upheld. I want to say that we appreciate the role Japan has played over many decades as a force for stability, peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific.
Of course, our economic relationship has been the foundation of our relationship. It is highly complementary. It is increasingly important as we navigate global disruption. Our supply chains are closely linked. Imports of fuel from partners like Japan enable Australia to continue to be a reliable exporter of energy and food to the world.
I look forward to continuing to coordinate with you on our response following the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz and the disproportionate impact on our region. And I look forward to continuing to work with you to support a peaceful, stable and prosperous Indo-Pacific. I look forward to our discussions today.