PM’s visit lifts VN-Japan relations to new height

ME - The recent official visit of Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng to Japan has affirmed Việt Nam’s consistent policy to attach importance to and prioritize the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Japan, said a Vietnamese foreign ministry official.

Deputy Foreign Minister Đoàn Xuân Hưng made the statement in an interview about the significance and concrete measures to implement results of the visit.

He said the visit took place when the Việt Nam-Japan relations have seen strong development over recent years, especially since the two countries set up the strategic partnership in 2009.

Cooperation and mutual confidence in the fields of politics, diplomatics, security and defence have been consolidated and seen new progress. Japan remains Việt Nam’s leading economic and trade partner, particularly in foreign direct investment and official development assistance.

Mr. Hùng added that the Japanese Government and people offered a warm and sincere welcome to Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and his entourage.

The two sides issued a joint statement on the implementation of action within the framework of the Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia between Việt Nam and Japan, reflecting the common perception, desire and determination of the two countries’ leaders and plans to further deepen the two countries’ strategic partnership.

The visit is a milestone and an important impetus to boost cooperative relations between Việt Nam and Japan in a stable manner, meeting the desire and common interests of the two countries’ people, making active contributions to maintaining peace, stability and promoting cooperation and development in the region and the world, said Mr. Hùng.

The Deputy FM said the two sides signed a number of agreements between the two governments on major projects on building the Ninh Thuận 2 nuclear power plant, cooperation in rare earth exploitation, and building the Lạch Huyện deepwater port. Both sides signed a government document certifying Japan’s assistance to train Vietnamese nurses under the framework of the Việt Nam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA).

The Japanese Government announced its decision not to apply part 255 of the working group’s report on Việt Nam’s admission to the World Trade Organization, which means that Japan recognized Việt Nam’s market economy. The Japanese Government also pledged to maintain official development assistance to Việt Nam, help Việt Nam develop important infrastructure projects and promote economic restructuring, and implement targets of economic development strategies, modernization and industrialization by 2020. The two sides also agreed to at least double two-way trade value by 2020.
Deputy FM Hùng said that to implement agreements reached during the visit the two countries’ relevant agencies should closely cooperate and put forward concrete measures to implement contents that both sides agreed and stated in the joint statement.

He said both countries should maintain and enhance dialogue mechanisms, contacts and exchanges at all levels and in all domains. In the immediate term, the two sides should organize the fourth session of the Việt Nam-Japan Cooperation Committee to review the contents of cooperation and discuss concrete measures. Economic cooperation should be promoted through existing mechanisms such as VJEPA, the Việt Nam-Japan Common Initiative on improving the investment environment for the fourth phase and the strategic cooperative dialogue.

The two sides should closely work together in organizing the Việt Nam-Japan Friendship Year and activities to mark the 40th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 2013, considering it an event of great significance and good opportunity to boost the friendship, trust and mutual understanding between the two peoples.

Deputy FM Hùng said he believes that the Việt Nam-Japan strategic partnership will be further promoted and strengthened.