Log in
Vietnam

Vietnam will do its utmost to improve the ASEAN-Japan partnership: PM Phuc

PM Phuc hopes that Japan will continue supporting ASEAN’s efforts in strengthening dialogue and trust, creating a favorable environment for Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC).

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has highlighted ASEAN commitments to strengthen and promote comprehensive cooperation with Japan, stressing that Vietnam will do its utmost to improve the ASEAN-Japan strategic partnership.

As the leader of the coordinator country, PM Phuc made the statement in his keynote address on ASEAN-Japan relations while attending the 21st ASEAN - Japan Summit and the celebration of the 45 years of ties between ASEAN and Japan in Singapore on November 14 within the framework of the 33rd ASEAN Summit.
 
Leaders attended the 21st ASEAN-Japan Summit in Singapore. Photo: Quang Hieu
Leaders attended the 21st ASEAN-Japan Summit in Singapore. Photo: Quang Hieu
Phuc affirmed that the ASEAN-Japan strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation has seen good progress in all three pillars, with many practical activities, especially in the fields of maritime security, anti-terrorism and trans-national criminal combat, cyber security, nuclear weapon non-proliferation and disarmament, law enforcement training, jurisdiction promotion and defense cooperation.

He also appreciated ASEAN's support for Japan through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF) in health care, environment, natural disaster control, climate change, science-technology and innovation, as well as in connection through the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and ASEAN Plan of Action on narrowing development gap, and Mekong-Subregion development.

The PM emphasized ASEAN's strong commitment in promoting and elevating the strategic partnership and comprehensive cooperation between the grouping and Japan for peace, stability and prosperity of each side as well as the whole region.

Backing PM Phuc’s opinions, other ASEAN leaders agreed to further promote the sound cooperation between the two sides which has developed over the past 45 years and welcomed Japan to continue performing its active and responsible role in the region, while coordinating with ASEAN at forums chaired by the grouping, and contributing to promoting dialogues, building trust and strengthening cooperation on the basis of common benefit and respect.

On the Japanese side, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe affirmed the importance of ASEAN's role, agreed to foster comprehensive collaboration with ASEAN and support the association’s central role as well as efforts in enhancing regional cooperation and connectivity. 

PM Abe announced plan to hold the ASEAN-Japan Day in Vietnam in 2019 to promote mutual understanding between the two sides.

He also announced many important cooperative initiatives such as supporting fund by Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) on regional infrastructure development, highly qualifified  human resource training (about 80,000 people in five years), exploiting opportunities from the Industrial Revolution 4.0, preventing ocean plastic waste, responding to natural disasters and climate change, and providing health care services for the public.

PM Abe emphasized that ASEAN and Japan should work harder to reinforce opening, equal and law-based multilateral trading system.

The Japanese PM praised a number of ASEAN countries, including Singapore, Vietnam and Japan, for ratifying of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), expressing his hope for the soon finalization of negotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement.

Regarding international and regional issues, PM Abe reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability and security, freedom and safety of navigation and aviation in the South China Sea, which is referred to as East Sea in Vietnam, respecting diplomatic and legal processes, and upholding principles of international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, while stressing efforts to build an effective and substantive COC.

PM Phuc backed the Japanese PM’s ideas, highlighting the ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea issue and hope that Japan will continue supporting ASEAN’s efforts in strengthening dialogue and trust, creating a favorable environment for COC negotiations.

Phuc also praised Japan’s initiatives to promote connectivity between the rims of Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, pledging that Vietnam will do its utmost to improve the ASEAN-Japan partnership for peace, stability and prosperity of the two sides as well as the region.

He stated Vietnam welcomes PM Abe's initiative of holding the ASEAN-Japan Day, adding that the country is ready to work with Japan for hosting the event successfully.

Concluding the summit, ASEAN-Japan leaders agreed to endorse the 45th anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan friendship and cooperation.
Reactions:
Share:
Trending
Most Viewed
Cultural contest connects Vietnamese youth in Japan with President Ho Chi Minh

Cultural contest connects Vietnamese youth in Japan with President Ho Chi Minh

A children’s cultural contest held in Tokyo has helped nurture pride, creativity and a deep connection to President Ho Chi Minh among Vietnamese families living across Japan.

Vietnam strengthens role in ASEAN after 30 years of membership

Vietnam strengthens role in ASEAN after 30 years of membership

Apart from economics, Vietnam has strengthened ASEAN unity and centrality by contributing across all three pillars, from political-security to economic and socio-cultural cooperation, including maritime security, climate action, digital transformation and people-centered development.

First technical flight safely lands at Vietnam’s US$16-billion international airport

First technical flight safely lands at Vietnam’s US$16-billion international airport

Long Thanh International Airport in Vietnam's southern province of Dong Nai, with an investment of more than US$16 billion, is expected to welcome 25 million passengers each year once operational.

Vietnamese professor conferred Honorary Doctorate by Moscow Power Engineering Institute

Vietnamese professor conferred Honorary Doctorate by Moscow Power Engineering Institute

The conferral of the Honorary Doctorate reflects the enduring friendship between Vietnam and Russia over decades, acknowledges the traditional ties between the two nations’ scientific communities.

Party chief urges Hanoi to break bottlenecks, improve livelihoods

Party chief urges Hanoi to break bottlenecks, improve livelihoods

At a meeting with voters in central Hanoi, Party General Secretary To Lam highlighted urgent priorities for the capital, from easing traffic congestion and pollution to strengthening grassroots governance under the two-tier local government model.

EU praises Vietnam’s creative community for advancing sustainable design

EU praises Vietnam’s creative community for advancing sustainable design

EVSDA 2025 reinforces creativity’s role in driving sustainable development in Vietnam while connecting European and Vietnamese values and highlighting ideas for a greener and more inclusive future.

TECHFEST Vietnam 2025 reinforces innovation’s role in powering next growth phase

TECHFEST Vietnam 2025 reinforces innovation’s role in powering next growth phase

It is Vietnam's largest annual festival for innovative startups, highlighting inclusive innovation, encouraging technology commercialization and the development of new products to ensure that no one is left behind in the country’s transition to a knowledge-driven economy.

Innovation becomes core driver of national development: Vietnam PM

Innovation becomes core driver of national development: Vietnam PM

Innovation is the inevitable path for Vietnam's rapid and sustainable development, building an independent and self-reliant economy that is deeply integrated into the international community.