Gov’t supports Vietnam – Japan defense cooperation, says PM

Chinh welcomed Minoru’s visit which he said would contribute to promoting Vietnam – Japan defense cooperation as well as the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, for peace, prosperity and development of each country, the region and the wider world.

He noted with satisfaction the growing ties between Vietnam and Japan, saying since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973 bilateral relations have developed positively in all fields, including defense.

Notably, 2023 saw the two countries organize nearly 500 practical and meaningful activities in celebration of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, including the upgrading of the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world.

The PM reiterated Vietnam’s open foreign policy and affirmed that Vietnam would work closely with Japan to consretise the new partnership framework.

He proposed that the two sides maintain visit exchanges, increase cooperation in economics, trade and investment, human resource training, culture and people-to-people exchanges.  

He also proposed that Japan facilitate market access for Vietnamese agricultural products, promote new generation ODA cooperation focusing on large and key projects, and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese expatriates to live, study and work stably in their host country.

Chinh acknowledged defense cooperation as an important pillar in bilateral relations, and expected that the two Ministries of Defense would strengthen cooperation in the fields of human resource training, technology transfer, equipment support, network security, as well as cooperation between defense firms.

The PM on this occasion thanked Japan for sending Yoshihide Suga to attend Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s recent funeral in Hanoi, and at the same time conveyed his invitation to Prime Minister Fumio Kishida to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

Minoru for his part briefed his host on the results of his earlier talks with Vietnamese Minister of Defense Phan Van Giang, and said his visit is to further enhance the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, including defense cooperation.

He said he would report to competent authorities and discuss with Japanese authorities to promote Vietnam – Japan cooperation in other areas as suggested by the PM.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, both sides emphasized the importance of ensuring security, safety, freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea, and resolving all disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).