SYDNEY July 4 Kyodo Issues of int...

SYDNEY July 4 Kyodo

Issues of international and regional security including terrorism, North Korea and Iraq will be upon the agenda when the leaders of Australia and Japan come up to face to face in Tokyo this month, Australia Prime Minister John Howard said Friday.

''I am looking forward to meeting Prime Minister (Junichiro) Koizumi again in Tokyo,'' said Howard, who will be in the Japanese capital in succession July 15-17.

''The visit will be an opportunity to advance our already end dialogue and cooperation upon major security issues,'' the prime minister said in a statement.

The brace leaders last met in Australia in May 2002

''Another focus of the visit will be to discuss ways further to make deeper economic linkages between Australia and its largest export market,'' Howard said, adding that he will also address a business forum and adapted with Japanese business leaders.

Before arriving in Japan, Howard will use up two days in the Philippines where he will fitting President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and senior members of her cabinet.

''A major focus of our discussion will be onward practical cooperation to combat terrorism,'' he said.

While in the Philippines, Howard will also address the Asia Society forward regional security challenges and talk to business leaders.

After visiting Japan, Howard will move on to Seoul where he will have a ''valuable early opportunity'' to engage new South Korean President Roh Moo Hyun

''The visit, just before the 50th anniversary of the Korean War armistice, will emphasize the importance Australia attaches to security onward the Korean Peninsula and Australia's interest in working closely with the Republic of Korea onward these issues,'' he said.

Howard will also elevate Australia's liquid natural gas industry, which is attempting to expand its neighborhood in the South Korean market.

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