Melbourne, Jan. 5 (BNA): Australia and Japan are set to sign a treaty to boost defense and security cooperation in a virtual summit on Thursday after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled his trips to Australia and the United States due to a troop surge. COVID-19 cases.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the two leaders will sign a reciprocal access agreement, which for the first time will establish a framework for the two countries’ defense forces to cooperate with each other.
“This treaty will be a statement of our countries’ commitment to work together in addressing the common strategic security challenges we face and to contribute to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific,” Morrison said in a statement.
The strengthened security relationship expands on efforts by the United States, Japan, India and Australia – the so-called Quartet – to work on shared concerns about China in the Indo-Pacific region.
Australia and Japan also plan to discuss opportunities to strengthen government and business partnerships on clean energy, technologies and biomaterials.
“Our collaboration also includes the Quartet’s expanded agenda with India and the United States, and our joint technology-led approach to reducing carbon emissions,” Morrison said.
Kishida said on Tuesday that he would forgo foreign visits before the next session of parliament begins on January 17 to focus on putting in place measures to combat the epidemic.
HF