Vietnam is relishing its role as a promoter of peace as it is the host of the 2nd DPRK-USA Summit, which is considered one of the most important events in the world in 2019, said Japan Times. 

US, DPRK and Vietnamese flags displayed for sale at a store in Hanoi, Vietnam (Source: japantimes.co.j)

In the article titled “Vietnam relishes role as peacemaker with Kim - Trump summit as it seeks to balance ties”, Japan Times quoted Vietnamese officials as saying that Vietnam’s hosting of the high-stakes talks marks its emergence as a trustworthy and responsible member of the international community. 

Vietnam has forged peace with old enemies and can now help others to do so, the article said. 

According to the newspaper, since emerging from decades of diplomatic isolation in the early 1990s, Vietnam has been eager to improve ties with large powers in the region and the world. 

“The boost to Vietnam’s international status that the country is likely to see from the summit is in line with that strategy”, it added. 

Japan Times cited Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung saying that both the US and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) were keen to hold their summit in Vietnam. 

It also quoted former ambassador and permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN in Geneva, Switzerland, Nguyen Quy Binh as saying a successful summit would enhance Vietnam’s standing. 

“Vietnam’s voice will have more weight. A country that acts responsibly and reputably, a country that is trust-worthy, will have a different voice,” said Binh. 

According to the article, Western and Asian diplomats said they expected Vietnam to try to support any reforms in the DPRK that the summit bring

Vietnam’s efforts would be enhanced by its turn as chair of ASEAN next year, and the country’s candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2021. 

Meanwhile, in an interview with former Vietnamese ambassador to the US Nguyen Tam Chien, Japan’s public broadcaster NHK said Vietnam was chosen because it is active in multinational diplomacy for the peace and stability of the region.

According to Chien, reaching a solution on the Korean Peninsula will lead to regional peace and stability. 

He expressed the hope for progress in resolving the nuclear issues and economic cooperation, as well as in other fields.-VNA