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Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and Japanese Prime Minister Taro Aso agreed to develop the two countries’ strategic partnership for the sake of peace and prosperity in Asia.
General Secretary Nong Duc Manh held talks with Japanese PM Taro Aso Tokyo on April 20. Manh is on a four-day visit to Japan from April 19.
The two leaders reiterated the joint statement “Towards the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia” issued on Oct. 19, 2006, while welcoming the effective implementation of the “Cooperation programme towards the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan” made public in December 2007.
They noted that the two joint documents, the two countries’ multifaceted relations have made great progress in politics, economy, culture, people-to-people exchange and other areas.
The two leaders affirmed that Vietnam and Japan have great potential for further developing their friendship and cooperation.
They agreed to hold annual visits of high-level delegations, while enhancing the exchange and cooperation between ministries and government agencies; and further promote the exchange between the parliaments, political parties, local governments and people of the two countries.
In addition, meetings of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee will be held annually along with the promotion of political dialogue mechanisms at the deputy foreign ministerial level and exchanges between senior officials in the field of security and defence as well as cooperation in legal areas.
The two leaders expressed their belief that the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement would play an important role in the development of the two countries’ economic relations. They pledged to join efforts to get the agreement running soon and facilitate its implementation.
The two sides also agreed to work for more Japanese investment into Vietnam through activities as the joint initiative to improve the business environment and sharpen Vietnam’s competitive edge.
Vietnam and Japan are to expand cooperation in infrastructure improvement, energy, manufacturing, supporting industry, goods transport, IT and telecoms, natural calamity prevention and environmental protection, while building ties in new fields such as the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, space technology, and environment-friendly aeroplane.
PM Aso said General Secretary Manh’s visit is significant in boosting high-level dialogue and mutual understanding, thus opening a new period in bilateral ties.
He spoke highly of measures Vietnam has taken to maintain socio-economic development and rein in inflation, adding that he believed Vietnam would gain even greater achievements in the cause of renovation and industrialisation.
Aso said Japan appreciates Vietnam’s determination to fight corruption regarding Japan’s ODA.
In this connection, the two sides agreed to work closely for the effective use of Japan’s ODA in Vietnam and seriously executing all counter-corruption measures adopted by the Vietnam-Japan joint committee for combating corruption in ODA use.
The two sides decided to accelerate the implementation of agreed projects including the north-south expressway, north-south express railway, and the Hoa Lac hi-tech park.
The two sides agreed to promote cultural, scientific and technological, educational, training cooperation and exchanges between young people. In addition, they also agreed to increase coordination in preserving cultural heritages.
Regarding issues of the international community, the two leaders stressed the need for Vietnam and Japan to collaborate more closely at international organisations and forums where they are members, including the UN, WTO, APEC, ASEM, ARF and EAS.
They will work closely within the framework of ASEAN-Japan, ASEAN+3, and with the sub-Mekong cooperation.
The two leaders also pledged to join hands in strengthening a free, just, and equal multilateral trade mechanism and speeding up the Doha talk toward a positive and harmonious agreement as soon as possible.
In addition to those, the two countries committed to promoting their coordination in global issues, including environmental and climate change, the fight against natural disasters and epidemics, and disarmament.
The Vietnamese side praised Japan’s contributions to the world’s efforts to cope with the global financial crisis and expressed hope that the East Asian powerhouse will work more to help Asia and the world rise out of economic stagnation.
General Secretary Manh reiterated an invitation to the Japanese Emperor and Empress and other royal family members to visit Vietnam. He also invited PM Aso to visit Vietnam.
At the end of the talks, the two leaders issued a Vietnam-Japan joint statement on strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.
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