MELBOURNE – Australia and Japan are set to sign a pact to boost defense and security cooperation at a virtual summit on Thursday, after Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida canceled visits to Australia and the United States. States due to an increase in COVID-19 cases.
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the two leaders will sign a Reciprocal Access Agreement that will, for the first time, set out the framework for the two countries’ defense forces to work together.
“This treaty will be a statement of our two nations’ commitment to jointly address the common strategic security challenges we face and contribute to an Indian Ocean-” said Morrison. The Pacific is safe and stable.”
Security ties are strengthened and expanded by efforts by the United States, Japan, India and Australia – dubbed the Quad – to address shared concerns about China in the Indian region – Pacific.
Australia and Japan also plan to discuss opportunities to strengthen government-business partnerships in clean energy, critical technologies and materials.
“Our partnership also includes an expansive agenda for the Quad with India and the United States, and our shared technology-led approach to reducing carbon emissions,” said Morrison. .
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 anti-pandemic measures.
(Reporting by Sonali Paul; editing by Michael Perry)
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