(VOVworld) – Vietnam and Japan issued a joint statement on the establishment of extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia on the occasion of President Truong tan Sang’s state visit to Japan. The two sides agreed to implement effectively existing dialogue mechanisms such as the Vietnam-Japan Foreign Ministerial level Cooperation Committee and the Deputy Foreign Ministerial level Strategic Partnership Dialogue as well as regular leadership exchanges between the departments of the two nation’s Foreign Ministries.
The two sides agreed to implement effectively the memorandum of understanding between the two Ministries of National Defense on bilateral defense cooperation and exchange signed in 2011; continue to implement the Vietnam-Japan Deputy Ministerial level defense policy dialogue, increase visit exchanges at ministerial, senior official and expert levels; boost military cooperation and bilateral cooperation in human resource development, capacity building and visits by military vessels. Japan announced it would support Vietnam in bomb and mine clearance through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund.
The two sides confirmed continued cooperation on maritime security. Vietnam proposed early negotiations on agreements on mutual judicial support, extradition and transfer of convicts. The two sides agreed to increase cooperation to deal with non-traditional security issues, terrorism, transnational crime, piracy, and cyber crime.
President Sang hailed Japan’s support for Vietnam in legal and judicial reform including revising the constitution as well as Prime Minister Abe’s pledge to continue supporting Vietnam in this field.
Japan will continue to implement action plans for the 6 sectors selected in Vietnam’s industrialization strategy within the Vietnam-Japan cooperation framework until 2020 with a 2030 vision. Japan will help Vietnam develop support industries and achieve its industrialization and modernization targets by 2020 through capacity building in implementing industrial policies.
Japan continues to consider Vietnam an important partner in its ODA policy to contributing to Vietnam’s sustainable growth.
The two sides agreed to foster cooperation within the framework of signed agreements to develop Vietnam’s infrastructure system. The two sides confirmed that improving the investment environment and promoting trade cooperation will contribute to early completion of the set target of doubling trade and investment value by 2020. The two sides decided to establish cooperation dialogue mechanisms to promote comprehensive cooperation in agriculture, forestry and aquaculture and will organize the first session in Vietnam in 2014.
The two sides committed further cooperation in a number of areas such as nuclear power, climate change, construction and urban development, healthcare and social security, science and technology, human resource development, reception of nurses and technical interns, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and the establishment of a dialogue framework for cultural, sports, and people-to-people exchanges.
Regarding regional and global issues, the two sides vowed increased cooperation in regional and global forums such as the UN, APEC, ASEM, EAS, ASEAN+3, ADMM+, and ARF, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. In anticipation of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the UN in 2015, the two sides agreed to cooperate towards early reshuffle of the UN to increase its effectiveness, legitimacy, transparency and representative role.
The two sides agreed to work closely together in negotiations for the Trans-pacific Partnership Agreement and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement.
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe praised Vietnam’s efforts to settle maritime issues including maritime security based on the principal abiding by international law. The two sides confirmed that maritime peace and security are in the interest of both nations and the international community. The two leaders shared the view that all parties concerned must abide by international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. The two leaders agreed on the importance of maintaining free navigation and space and trade without being obstructed and that restraint and peaceful measures will be used to address disputes in line with international law including UNCLOS. The two leaders shared the view that the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea should soon be completed.