Vietnam, Japan continue to expand comprehensive strategic relations

Vietnam and Japan reaffirmed their commitment to continue fostering the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries and ensure its more substantial and effective development across all fields in the coming time.

Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai and Japan's Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. Photos: Tran Manh

The view was shared during a brief meeting between Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai and Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida Fumio on May 23, during Khai's current visit to Japan and attending the 29th Forum on the Future of Asia.

 In talks, Khai conveyed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's greetings and extended an invitation to Prime Minister Kishida to visit Vietnam soon.

He affirmed that Vietnam always considers Japan a top and long-term partner, expressing hope that both sides will continue to coordinate closely to effectively implement the newly established Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, as well as important agreements and shared understandings between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Kishida.

Prime Minister Kishida thanked Vietnam for its participation and contributions to the Future of Asia Conference.

Kishida reaffirmed Japan's commitment to further developing the Vietnam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a substantive and effective manner across all fields in the coming time.

Discussion of issues of mutual interest with Cambodia, Singapore

During his visit to Japan for the 29th Future of Asia Conference, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai also held bilateral meetings with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.

In his meeting with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol, Khai expressed satisfaction with the stable development of Vietnam-Cambodia cooperation, highlighting economic collaboration as a bright spot, with remarkable trade growth in the first quarter of 2024.

Deputy Prime Minister Khai and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol.

He emphasized the invaluable solidarity and mutual support between the two nations. Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol extended warm congratulations to President To Lam and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on their inauguration.

Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol suggested that to achieve the goal of increasing trade to $20 billion, both countries should continue to strengthen economic, trade, and investment relations. He encouraged Vietnamese enterprises to invest more in Cambodia.

Both deputy prime ministers agreed to promote high-level visits and contacts between their countries' leaders, including party-to-party meetings, and to implement bilateral agreements and cooperation mechanisms effectively.

They reaffirmed their commitment to cherish and prioritize good neighborly relations, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation, and long-term sustainability between Vietnam and Cambodia.

Deputy Prime Minister Khai reiterated Vietnam's respect for Cambodia's legitimate interests in national development, including the Funan Techo Canal project, in accordance with the friendship and relevant regulations of the Mekong River Commission (MRC).

In this spirit, Deputy Prime Minister Khai expressed hope that Cambodia would continue to closely cooperate with Vietnam and the MRC in sharing information and assessing the project's impact on the water resources and the ecological environment of the Mekong River basin, ensuring the interests of all riparian countries and sustainable basin development for the benefit of the people.

In his meeting with Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong, both sides appreciated the positive results of their cooperation across all fields, especially in economic collaboration. They agreed to consider elevating their relationship to a new level, creating a model for future bilateral cooperation in ASEAN.

Deputy Prime Minister Khai congratulated Gan Kim Yong on his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister and praised Singapore for the successful leadership transition from the third to the fourth generation. He expressed confidence that Singapore would continue to achieve significant milestones in its national development.

Deputy Prime Minister Khai and Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong.

To elevate Vietnam-Singapore relations, Khai called on Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong to support the effective implementation of the Framework Agreement on Economic Connectivity, Green Economy - Digital Economy relations, and the expansion of high-quality foreign direct investment (FDI) projects in emerging technologies. He also suggested transforming VSIP industrial parks into smart, green, and sustainable models, and enhancing cooperation in education, training, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Deputy Prime Minister Khai hoped that both countries would continue to work closely in regional and international forums such as ASEAN, the United Nations, and APEC, to build a strong, united, and resilient ASEAN Community that plays a central role in regional affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong commended Khai's speech at the Future of Asia Conference, which emphasized peace, stability, free trade, and strengthening solidarity and cooperation in multilateral frameworks and international forums.

He highlighted the potential for economic cooperation with Vietnam and expressed a desire to expand cooperation not only in quantity but also in depth.

Based on the established Green Economy - Digital Economy Partnership framework, Singapore proposed that both sides explore cooperation projects in emerging fields such as power transmission, hydrogen, carbon credits, and green finance.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Khai requested that Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong convey Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's invitation to Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for an early visit to Vietnam.