TOKYO, July 8 (KUNA) -- Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda and visiting US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton agreed on Sunday that the two countries will continue to work closely to address bilateral issues, the situation in the Asia-Pacific region and global affairs, the premier's office said in a statement.
During their meeting, Noda expressed his gratitude for the cooperation of the US leading up to an international conference on aid to Afghanistan due later in the day here. "The Tokyo Conference, along with the NATO summit held in Chicago in May, will send a strategic message that Afghanistan can achieve stable gains in terms of both security and economic development during its 'transformation decade,'" Noda told Clinton, according to the statement. "Japan will continue to cooperate with the US in this partnership with Afghanistan," the premier said. In response, Clinton thanked Noda for hosting the donors' conference, which will be attended by about 80 countries and organizations, and praised Japan's leadership.
Clinton arrived here on July 7 from Kabul to attend the donors' conference and hold talks with Noda and Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba. (end) mk.asa KUNA 080905 Jul 12NNNN