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Vietnam – Japan increase cooperation in all strategic aspects

Vietnam - Japan increase cooperation in all strategic aspects - Photo 1.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio exchanged a warm hug after finishing the press conference on the morning of May 1 – Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

Youth had an exchange with former Vietnamese ambassador to Japan (period 2011 – 2015), former deputy minister of foreign affairs, vice president of the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Association, ambassador Doan Xuan Hung.

* How do you rate Prime Minister Kishida’s visit to Vietnam?

I suppose ‘s visit Japanese Prime Minister Kishida came to Vietnam very successfully, even though it took place in a short time, less than a day. The visit program is dense, the exchanges are substantive, reliable, sincere and practical.

We can see that the two Prime Ministers discussed all issues related to the cooperation of the two sides, from economy, trade, investment, education and training, security – defense and international issues. The two leaders reached a very high consensus on these issues, concretizing the agreements reached between the two leaders in November 2021.

It should be noted that Mr. Kishida’s visit comes just six months after Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Japan. When meeting again this time, the two leaders have reached many substantive agreements, and both said that cooperation has moved to a new stage of development.

It can be said that this is a very meaningful gift that Japan gives Vietnam when we are celebrating major national holidays.

The two prime ministers discussed cooperation with each other in the spirit of “emotional, sincere, reliable, substantive and effective”. I believe that the projects will come into real development in the near future.

As an ambassador in the period of elevating the relationship to an extensive strategic partnership and always concerned about the high level of trust and cooperation between the two countries, I am very pleased with the outcome of this visit.

* What aspects of cooperation are you most satisfied with?

What is especially impressive to me is that the two Prime Ministers emphasized the increased implementation of strategic infrastructure projects of the two countries. Those are the projects that Vietnam is very interested in: such as the North – South expressway project, the overhead railway system, the subway in Ho Chi Minh City…

These are infrastructure projects that are the backbone of Vietnam’s economy. The leaders of the two countries also discussed connecting the two economies and linking development in the region, which are strategic issues.

Secondly, in the post-COVID situation, innovation and digital transformation is a huge story, if any country develops quickly in this field, it will have great advantages for future development. Japan has a strong position in this regard and has committed to promoting cooperation with Vietnam.

Vietnam - Japan increase cooperation in all strategic aspects - Photo 2.

Former Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Doan Xuan Hung – Photo: NVCC

The third is the story of the value chain, the global supply chain, which, if interrupted, will affect the development of many countries. Japan is also committed to cooperating with Vietnam in this truly strategic field.

Fourth, Vietnam has an abundant labor force, and Japan has committed to assist in improving the quality of training and using human resources. This is a very important factor for the development of both countries in the coming time.

Fifth, the negotiation on import and export of each type of fruit between the two sides often takes place for many years. Previously, only Vietnamese dragon fruits were imported to Japan, recently, mango and lychee can be added. In the near future, more labels will be exported to Japan. You also consider importing other fruits from Vietnam.

I am glad that the negotiation progress has been accelerated, the negotiation time has been shortened. This cooperation helps Vietnamese products reach high standards, enter the Japanese market, which is a difficult market, then Vietnam can promote cooperation and export to many other countries. This field is very meaningful when Vietnam is attaching great importance to developing high-tech agriculture, exporting to the world.

Sixth, climate change is an issue of concern to Vietnam and a big story in international cooperation. Japan has committed to support through ODA projects.

All of the above areas are on the agenda of Vietnam. It can be said that no other partner of Vietnam has cooperated as wide and deep as Japan. In Vietnam’s big and strategic projects, there are imprints of Japan’s participation.

These agreements show that despite the regional and international difficulties, despite the epidemic, with the right approach, Vietnam has a complete basis to promote development strategies such as the Resolution of the Congress. 13 proposed.

I want to emphasize that trust and trust between leaders and people of the two countries is at a very high level. That ensures that the agreements will be implemented in a substantive, methodical and effective manner.

Vietnam - Japan increase cooperation in all strategic aspects - Photo 3.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio talk to each other as they move from the Presidential Palace to the Government headquarters to start their talks – Photo: NGUYEN KHANH

* How will the East Sea issue in particular and multilateral issues be promoted, sir?

The story of the East Sea is inherently complicated. In recent years, more and more countries outside the region have expressed greater interest, understanding and sharing Vietnam’s legitimate concerns.

These countries share the same view as Vietnam, which is to uphold respect for international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to seek peaceful solutions to settle disputes. That creates favorable conditions for Vietnam to continue to express its views and protect its sovereignty and sea and islands.

Regarding multilateral cooperation, Japan is one of the leading countries in promoting the strategy of the free and open Indo-Pacific. Japan considers Vietnam an important partner in this strategy.

I think that Vietnam’s cooperation with other countries is not against any country, but rather to gain the consensus of international friends on issues of our concern and protect our legitimate interests.

On a regional scale, this visit to Vietnam, among the three Southeast Asian countries, by Mr. Kishida, who has been the foreign minister of Japan for many years, shows that Vietnam is of great importance in Japan’s foreign policy.

Besides, I think that the two Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Japan discussing the conflict in Ukraine shows that the two sides do not shy away from sensitive issues, listen to and respect each other’s opinions.

The two sides expressed interest in upholding international law, respecting the independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity of countries and humanitarian issues. It was a very sincere treatment between two friends. The conflict in Ukraine is a huge international story, not just Ukraine and Russia.

* As a former ambassador, how do you expect the two sides to promote cooperation in the future?

I think that the Vietnam-Japan relationship is at the highest level when the two countries establish a comprehensive strategic partnership.

I would like to note that Vietnam has a smaller economic scale than Japan, but Japan considers Vietnam to be a significant addition to Tokyo’s development. That shows that cooperation is not one-way. Prime Minister Kishida Fumio has said that cooperation with Vietnam has no limits.

I believe that Japan is the most important partner for Vietnam’s development and will continue to cooperate and support Vietnam to achieve its development aspirations. We hope and believe that the two sides will firmly maintain this trustful and mutually beneficial comprehensive friendship and cooperation relationship for mutual development.

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