State President supports stronger Vietnam-Japan defence ties

He highly appreciated the results of September 11 talks between the Vietnamese and Japanese Defence Ministers, which he said will contribute to deepening bilateral relations, in line with the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.

He was happy to see that bilateral trade and investment cooperation has been maintained and strengthened during the past two years despite the complicated developments of the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan is the second foreign biggest investor in Vietnam with total capitalization of US$65 billion. Two-way trade value last year hit US$ 40 billion last year.

Phuc thanked the Japanese Government for donating more than three million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam, and suggested that Japan continue to support vaccines, and help Vietnam access other vaccine sources as well as produce vaccines and medical equipment.

The President at the same time highly valued Japan’s stance on ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and settling disputes by peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea as well as the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) ).

For his part, Minister Kishi Nobuo affirmed that Vietnam is Japan’s leading partner in the region. He said during his earlier talks with his Vietnamese counterpart General Phan Van Giang, the two sides agreed to further strengthen defence cooperation on the basis of signed agreements.

He announced that Japan will continue to actively cooperate with Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of war, as well as in search and rescue, and maritime security.

Regarding COVID-19 prevention and control, the Japanese Minister emphasized that Japan will continue to stand side by side with Vietnam to control the pandemic and stay ready to cooperate and support Vietnam in epidemic prevention and control.

The same day, Defence Minister Kishi Nobuo paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who affirmed the Party, State, Government and people of Vietnam take Japan as one of the partners of top importance which enjoys a high trust in the country’s foreign policy.

The PM voiced his support for boosting defence cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, and said Vietnam welcomes Japan’s active contributions to and support its greater role in maintaining peace, stability and development in the region and the world as a whole.