Date : 08/07/2012
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)
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