(VOVworld) - Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has expressed his hope to expand cooperation with the US and Australia to maintain peace, security, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants to expand cooperation with the US and Australia  (Photo: Christophe Archambault)

The statement was made in his article ran by The Australian Financial Review prior to the G20 summit which will take place this weekend in Brisbane, Australia. Abe said that the United States is the most important ally of Japan and Australia. He said the Japanese-Australian relationship has been developing stronger than ever. He expressed his hope that both Japan and Australia will have practical steps to boost cooperation in defense and security in the context of a bilateral agreement on the transfer of defense equipment and technology signed on July.

Prime Minister Abe will meet with US President Barack Obama and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott on the sidelines of the G20 summit.