State President Truong Tan sang received Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (August 2014).
For the past year, the relationship and cooperation between the two
countries saw a leap in development in many areas, said Japanese Foreign
Minister Fumio Kishida.
“I have visited Vietnam almost every year since I become a
parliamentary member and participate in the Japan- Vietnam Friendship
Parliamentary Alliance. Vietnam is a very special country for me. Two
years ago and last year, I and Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister
Pham Binh Minh co-chaired the meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation
Committee”.
The Japanese Foreign Minister appreciated the two sides’ exchanges and
cooperation in multi-faceted areas at the sessions of the Vietnam-Japan
Cooperation Committee. He had talks with Vietnamese Vice State President
Nguyen Thi Doan who participated in the 3rd UN World Conference on
Disaster Risk Reduction (WCDRR) held in Japan in March 2015. During
their talks, the two leaders affirmed to promote cooperation between the
two countries. The Japanese Foreign Minister expressed his desire to
boost bilateral cooperation with Vietnam as well as cooperation for
peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Regarding the formation of the ASEAN Community by the end of this year, he believed that a further unified and prosperous bloc is of great significance for peace, stability and development in the region. He asserted Japan would continue supporting the bloc’s effort in strengthening regional connectivity, narrowing the development gap among ASEAN members and boosting cooperation between Japan and ASEAN in sea security and disaster prevention. Japan wants to promote cooperation in the region, of which ASEAN plays the central role.
The Japanese Foreign Minister hoped that the 7th Japan-Mekong Summit to be held in Tokyo with the participation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung would propose a new strategy to further boost connectivity with Vietnam.
Apart from a dynamic economy, the security environment in Asia-Pacific has become increasingly severe with implicit turbulence and conflicts.
Evaluating the role of Japan in creating a peaceful and stable environment in the region, the Japanese Prime Minister excerpted the speech by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe that mentioned the importance of “the rule of law” on the seas. Foreign Minister Kishida said that the maintenance of order based on the principle of “the rule of law” on the seas is very important for peace and stability in the region. He emphasised that on the basis of the stance of “Active Pacifism” and the spirit of international harmony, Japan wants to coordinate with Vietnam to continue making efforts to contribute to peace and stability in the region.
One year ago, State President Truong Tan Sang paid a state-level visit to Japan at the invitation of Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. It was his first state visit to Japan since he took office and the second by a Vietnamese President since Vietnam and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1973. The visit marked a milestone in bilateral relations when the two sides agreed to elevate their ties to a new level of an Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia.
Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida co-chaired the 6th Meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee in August 2014. Photo: Thong Nhat – VNA |
Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh and his Japanese counterpart Tokuchi Hideshi participated in the 3rd Vietnam-Japan Defence Polity Dialogue in January 2015. Photo: Trong Duc/ VNA |
The Vietnam-Japan information and communications technology (ICT) forum2015. Photo: Minh Quyet/VNA |
The Cherry Blossom Festival in 2014 in Hanoi. Photo: Minh Duc/VNA |
Providing professional training courses for Vietnamese workers who will work in Japan. Photo: Anh Tuan/VNA The Nhat Tan Bridge, a key national work, was built from the Japanese ODA and the Vietnamese Government’s reciprocal capital. Photo: Huy Hung/VNA |