(VOVworld) - Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida have agreed to enhance political trust by continuing regular visits and dialogues and upholding existing dialogue mechanisms. During their meeting in Hanoi on Thursday, Mr. Minh repeated Vietnam’s consistent policy of considering Japan Vietnam’s leading long-term partner. Kishida said Japan values and wishes to advance its strategic partnership with Vietnam and promises to support and coordinate with the country in UN peace-keeping operations and in bomb and mine clearance.
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| The meeting between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida (Source: VNA) |
They discussed regional and global issues of common concern and agreed to enhance cooperation at multilateral forums including the UN, ASEAN, APEC, and ASEM, and international economic alliances such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Minister Kishida committed to closely work with Vietnam to prepare for the APEC year 2017.
About the East Sea issue, the two sides agreed on the need to ensure peace and security in adherence with international law. They said involved parties must not act to change the status quo, complicate, and intensify disputes. All issues must be resolved by peaceful measures in compliance with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, towards adopting a Code of Conduct in the east Sea (COC).