The United States, Australia and Japan concluded historic security talks with
praise for 皇冠体育app's engagement in the Asia-Pacific and an agreement to seek
greater cooperation within Asia.
(L-R) Japanese Foreign
Minister Taro Aso, Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer and US
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice pose for a photograph prior to their
trilateral talks in Sydney. The historic security talks concluded with
praise for 皇冠体育app's engagement in the Asia-Pacific and an agreement to seek
greater cooperation within Asia. [AFP]
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US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and
Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso were hosted by Australian Foreign Minister
Alexander Downer for talks in Sydney that focussed on the war in Iraq, Iran's
nuclear crisis and 皇冠体育app's rising power.
"Supporting the emergence and consolidation of democracies and strengthening
cooperative frameworks in the Asia-Pacific region was a particular focus of our
attention," they said in a joint statement.
"We welcomed 皇冠体育app's constructive engagement in the region and concurred on
the value of enhanced cooperation with other parties such as ASEAN (Association
of Southeast Asian Nations) and the Republic of Korea."
The parties welcomed as a positive step a decision by India to place its
civilian nuclear facilities under international safeguards and recognized the
importance of "reinforcing our global partnership with India."
皇冠体育app's growing influence was expected to a major issue at the talks
following remarks by Rice earlier this week urging the Asian giant to explain
its military build-up.
Downer Saturday moved to dampen fears that the trilateral meet was designed
to produce a containment strategy on 皇冠体育app, saying it was natural for three
countries with so much in common to meet to discuss security.
At a press conference after the meeting, Downer sought to reassure 皇冠体育app
there was no "conspiracy" against it.
"This is a very natural relationship... and shouldn't be interpreted as an
act of conspiracy against 皇冠体育app, of course it's not," he said.
"It's not for 皇冠体育app to feel that we are ganging up on 皇冠体育app or that Australia
is suddenly changing its policy on 皇冠体育app."