Vietnam is an active member promoting ASEAN become a core factor for regional peace: Japanese FM Spokesperson
WVR - On the evening of October 10, Japanese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kobayashi Maki had a meeting with reporters to inform about Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko's visit to Vietnam, focusing on Vietnam-Japan cooperation as well as Japan-ASEAN cooperation.
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| Japanese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Kobayashi Maki shared with reporters about Japan-Vietnam and Japan-ASEAN relations. (Photo: PA) |
Important partners of each other
In the beginning, Ms. Kobayashi informed about highlights of the exchange between the two countries on the occasion of the visit taking place in the context of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.
Specifically, the two sides exchanged views on future bilateral relations in many fields.
In the economic field, in the context of the fact that Japanese businesses has been becoming increasingly interested in Vietnam as a production base, from the perspective of promoting supply chain diversification, Minister Kamikawa Yoko expressed her desire to cooperate to further improve the investment environment and facilitate the operations of Japanese businesses in Vietnam.
She also expressed her desire to strengthen economic cooperation through ODA and other channels, continue cooperation in the field of human resource development such as at Vietnam-Japan University and strengthen links in the field of green growth as well as energy conversion.
In addition, the two countries welcomed the vibrant people-to-people exchanges and affirmed to strengthen cooperation to resolve issues related to technical intern trainees in order to further promote people-to-people exchanges between Japan and Vietnam.
Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko assured that Vietnam is an important partner in realizing the "free and open Indo-Pacific" and that strengthening bilateral relations will contribute to bringing peace, prosperity for the region and the world, including the Indo-Pacific region.
The two sides also discussed recent notable regional and international situations, affirming that cooperation is the key to maintaining peace and stability in the region. The two sides also look forward to a special summit commemorating 50 years of Japan-ASEAN friendly cooperation next December.
Vietnam - a factor promoting peace
In the second part of the press conference, Spokesperson Kobayashi answered many reporters' questions surrounding Vietnam-Japan, ASEAN-Japan cooperation and many other regional and international issues.
Ms. Kobayashi said that Vietnam has an increasingly important role in the region and in the world with a peace-loving foreign policy that upholds international law and the United Nations Charter.
Vietnam is also an active member of ASEAN, working with ASEAN members to expand relations with partners, pushing ASEAN as a core factor for regional peace and stability.
Japan highly appreciates the central role of ASEAN and the mechanisms led by ASEAN with the common goal of ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the region.
Regarding ASEAN-Japan relations, Ms. Kobayashi said that the two sides have a lot of potential for cooperation and share many current challenges, so they can work together and become good partners of each other. “Partnerships based on trust are very important to us”, she said.
According to Ms. Kobayashi, on the occasion of the important conference in December, the two sides will issue a statement expressing their determination and common vision on regional issues and the common future in which the two sides want to create together on cooperation in regional issues.
Regarding Vietnam-Japan relations, Ms. Kobayashi said that the two countries have fully met the conditions to upgrade relations to a new level. Japan and Vietnam are cooperating extensively in many fields, from bilateral to regional and international issues. Japan is working closely with Vietnam in areas of mutual interest, to be able to support Vietnam in specific issues for peace and security in the region.
New approach in ODA policy
Answering a reporter's question regarding whether the provision of ODA to countries will be affected when Japan is facing a large budget deficit, Ms. Kobayashi said that the Japanese government determines that it still has to continue to cooperate with friends in the world.
Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's Government recently adopted a new approach to ODA policy.
Ms. Kobayashi said that in the past, Japan often waited for partner countries to give their priorities and projects that they wanted, but now, Japan proactively makes proposals to partner countries to make the preparation process faster.
According to the new policy, Japan sets out policy priorities for ODA including: achieving quality growth (that is, inclusive, sustainable and resilient growth) for developing countries and reducing poverty; maintain and strengthen the free and open international order; and play a leading role in responding to the increasing complexity and severity of global issues such as climate change, public health and disaster management.
Regarding policies for Vietnamese people working in Japan, Ms. Kobayashi shared that any policy is not designed for just one country. There have been many highly skilled workers from Vietnam to Japan while Japan is facing the problem of an aging population.
Therefore, the Japanese Government is now seriously rethinking how to attract more high-quality workers, by expanding the field of expertise and improving better conditions. She said the discussion is still going on and there may be no changes until next year.
Regarding Japan's visa policy, Ms. Kobayashi said that Japan is currently considering facilitating entry for Vietnamese people, not necessarily visa exemption, but there are other ways to make it more convenient in the visa system.
