Viet Nam, Japan elevate ties to comprehensive strategic partnership

The agreement was made by Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong, who is on a four-day official visit to Japan, and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, during their summit meeting in Tokyo, Japan on September 27.

The two countries established diplomatic relations on September 21, 1973 and elevated ties to extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia in 2014.

At their summit meeting, the two leaders affirmed that the two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation in construction, transport, disaster risk reduction, and urban development, in which Japan will increase technical support and promote projects, including underground space management, urban underground works, water-related disaster risk reduction, "Smart JAMP" a smart city support program based on Japan-ASEAN mutual partnership, the national standards for port and harbor, and so forth.

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of ASEAN unity and centrality and welcomed outstanding achievements of the ASEAN-Japan Cooperation in the past 50 years.

They were pleased with the adoption of the Joint Statement on the Establishment of the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the ASEAN-Japan Summit. The two leaders reaffirmed their close cooperation and active contribution to reinforce the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a substantive, effective and mutually beneficial manner, and reaffirmed their commitment to the success of the ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit in Tokyo in December 2023.

The pair reaffirmed the commitment to strengthen comprehensive cooperation at regional and international forums such as the United Nations (UN), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM), and ASEAN-led regional mechanisms, such as the ASEAN-Japan Summit, the East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN 3, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus), the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF), and regional and international parliamentary forums namely the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) among others, to actively and effectively contribute to maintaining peace and stability and promoting cooperation and sustainable development in the region and the world. Prime Minister Kishida expressed support for Viet Nam's bid to host APEC Year 2027.

Prime Minister Kishida reaffirmed his support for ASEAN's efforts to reach a feasible and long-term solution to the current crisis, particularly the swift implementation of the Five-Point Consensus to improve the situation in Myanmar.

The two leaders reiterated their calls for the cessation of violence and constructive dialogue among relevant parties. President Vo expressed his gratitude to Japan for its support for ASEAN's roles and efforts in the Myanmar issue, including the participation in humanitarian aid activities through the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre).

The two leaders affirmed their continued cooperation in the Myanmar issue, and support for ASEAN centrality and the implementation of the Five-Point Consensus in the resolution to the situation in Myanmar.

Both sides exchanged views and expressed concern over the recent situation in the Korean Peninsula, including the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK)'s recent ballistic missile launches, which are not conducive to the peace and security of the region.

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of international cooperation and the full implementation of United Nations Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs), and the urgency of the continued pursuit by all relevant parties for peaceful and diplomatic resolutions for the issues pertaining to the Korean Peninsula, including dismantlement of all weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missiles of all ranges in accordance with the relevant UNSCRs, for peace, security, stability, cooperation, and prosperity of the region and the world./.