Photo: army.mil

The seminar facilitated strategic-level dialogue between the Australian Army, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force and US Military Forces.
 
Foreign military attendees included Colonel Akira Miyazaki, the representative of the Chief of Staff, Japan Ground Self-Defense Force; General Robert Brown, Commanding General United States Army, Pacific; and Lieutenant General Lewis Craparotta, Commander United States Marine Forces, Pacific.
 
Lieutenant General Burr said the discussions played an important role in further enhancing ongoing collaboration between Australia and its military partners and shaping new Army-to-Army initiatives.
 
“I am honoured to have been in the company of my Japanese and American counterparts for the sixth Trilateral Senior Level Seminar,” Lieutenant General Burr said. 
 
“Throughout the seminar I had the opportunity to hold insightful discussions with our Japanese and US partners, learning from each other’s experiences and sharing ideas.
 
“We have a shared interest in the peace and stability of the Indo-Pacific region, and today provided an opportunity to further deepen our security and defence cooperation.”
 
TSLS this year focused on regional security issues, enhancing cooperation on amphibious operations, building the capacity of partner nations, and participation in regional exercises.
 
Lieutenant General Burr thanked his international counterparts for attending the talks and said the seminar along with recent, successful training exercises encouraged a promising future between the three nations.
 
“This seminar, along with trilateral activities such as Exercise Southern Jackaroo, strengthens our partnership and I look forward to future engagements,” Lieutenant General Burr said.
 
The heads of delegation formalised their agreement to continue to enhance close cooperation by signing a joint trilateral statement that acknowledged the importance of strengthening the relationship between the land forces of Australia, Japan and the US.