Australia And Japan Sign Trade And Defence Deals

Australia and Japan have signed agreements bolstering defense and trade ties during a three-day visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.



Under the Japan-Australia Economic Partnership Agreement, signed in Australian capital Canberra on Tuesday, nearly all of Australian exports will enter Japan duty free or with special access.



During a speech to the Australian Parliament – the first by a Japanese premier – Abe said the defense partnership would be the first step in closer ties between the two Pacific region states.



In a conciliatory address, he offered his condolences to the families of those who died in World War II and pledged his country would never repeat the mistakes of the past.



"We will never let the horrors of the past century's history repeat themselves," he said. "We want to make Japan a country that will work to build an international order that upholds the role of law."



Last week, Abe announced changes to his nation's pacifist constitution to allow Japanese armed forces to come to the aid of friendly nations under attack. Previously the armed forces could only act in self-defense.



Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the economic and defense agreements had been "signed entirely for peaceful purposes."



He added: "This is a partnership of peace, prosperity and the rule of law."



Japan was Australia's second-largest trading partner in 2012-13, with a value of AU$69.2 billion ($65.1 million), an 8.8 percent decrease on 2011-12.



Japan is the biggest market for some of Australia's food and natural resources but exports to Japan fell 9.1 percent in 2012-13. Japanese exports to Australia included vehicles, petroleum, and rubber goods. 



www.aa.com.tr/en - Canberra