Japan, Us, Australia, India Hold Online Summit
The leaders of Japan, the United States, Australia and India have discussed a wide range of global issues in their first so-called Quad summit.
Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, US President Joe Biden, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke online for more than 90 minutes Friday night, Japan time.
Suga later told reporters they agreed to further strengthen cooperation and set up three working groups to discuss key issues including the response to the coronavirus.
The prime minister said they agreed to work together to help distribute coronavirus vaccines to developing countries in the Indo-Pacific region. He added that a working group will discuss how to implement the program, including delivery and vaccination process.
To realize a free and open Indo-Pacific, Suga said the other leaders agreed with his suggestion for more cooperation between their countries and others, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
Suga said he raised strong opposition to China's unilateral attempts to change the status quo.
He also said he raised serious concerns about the situation in Myanmar following the military coup.
The prime minister said he stressed the importance of an immediate resolution to the issue of North Korea's abduction of Japanese nationals, adding that the other leaders offered their cooperation.
Suga said the meeting will help the Quad nations ascend to a "new stage." He said they agreed to hold face-to-face talks later this year.