President of the Australian Senate visits Speaker Mori

On Tuesday, 9 June, Senator the Hon Sue Lines, President of the Senate of Australia, in Japan at the invitation of the House of Councillors, visited the House of Representatives with her delegation and met with Dr. MORI Eisuke, Speaker of the House, Mr. ISHII Keiichi, Vice-Speaker, and Mr. YAMAGUCHI Shunichi, Chair of the Standing Committee on Rules and Administration.

Speaker Mori began by welcoming the delegation to Japan on the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Basic Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Japan and Australia. He called Japan and Australia central pillars for cooperation among like-minded countries in a wide range of areas, including the economy and security, and expressed hope for furthering the two countries' relationship, including exchange between their parliaments.

Ms. Lines responded by offering her appreciation for the reception. She also stated that the two countries are close strategic partners which share national interests, and expressed hope for continuing to deepen parliamentary exchange and maintain a stable relationship of trust.

They also discussed exchange between individuals in the two countries, as well as cooperation in the fields of natural resources and energy.