WORLD
U.S. PRESIDENT, NEW JAPANESE PREMIER HOLD FIRST MEETING
Baku, September 23 (AZERTAC). President Barack Obama has met today with new Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in New York for the first time.
During the talks the two leaders reaffirmed the importance of the U.S.-Japanese alliance.
Yukio Hatoyama and Barack Obama said their countries` long-standing alliance will continue.
Mr. Obama said the relationship should be strengthened and deepened.
“It has been a cornerstone of the security of both nations, as well as the economic prosperity of both nations for almost 50 years now,” he said.
Mr. Hatoyama said Tokyo`s relationship with the United States will be a “key pillar” of his policies.
After their talk on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly meeting in New York, Mr. Obama said the United States and Japan have a major role in working with other countries toward economic recovery.
Both leaders stressed the need to coordinate closely on climate change, Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Korea issues. The Japanese leader praised Mr. Obama`s leadership on nuclear nonproliferation, and pledged his support.