General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnamese officials wrapped up their official visit to Japan yesterday, which took place from September 15 to 18, at the invitation of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe.

Japanese PM Shinzo Abe holds talks with Vietnam's Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in Tokyo on September 15. (Image credit: VOV)

The visit was an important event of great significance, reaffirming political trust and motivation to boost comprehensive development and deepen the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan, contributing to peace and prosperity in Asia.

Throughout his official visit to the Land of the Rising Sun, leaders of all levels and the people of Japan extended a warm welcome, including a solemn ceremony for General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and the Vietnamese delegation upon their arrival. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had an official meeting with Emperor Akihito of Japan and held talks with Prime Minister Abe. He also met with representatives from all walks of life and the business community, as well as leaders of Japan’s major political parties and major economic groups.

On this occasion, the two sides adopted a statement of joint vision for the Vietnam-Japan relations, which reaffirmed their determination to forge strategic partnerships between the two countries for peace and prosperity in Asia, to strongly develop ties in a comprehensive and substantive manner, to continue close co-ordination and co-operation in organisations as well as regional and international forums that both parties are members of.

At all times throughout the visit, during talks and meetings with leaders, parliamentarians, scholars, business representatives and the people of Japan, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed Vietnam’s implementation of a foreign policy of peace, independence, self-reliance, friendship and co-operation; multi-lateralisation and diversification of international relations, being a friend and reliable partner as well as an active and responsible member of the international community. The Party and State of Vietnam always consider Japan an important, long-term and leading partner, emphasising that it is a key feature of Vietnam’s foreign policy. Japanese Prime Minister Abe and Japanese leaders and parliamentarians stressed that Japan attaches great importance and gives high priority to its relations with Vietnam; whilst always striving to strengthen the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan for peace and prosperity in Asia, for the interests of the two peoples and the region. The two sides agreed to further strengthen trust, mutual understanding and promote common interests whilst striving to improve the efficiency of co-operation and efforts towards the future.

The two sides expressed their pleasure over the positive development and strong advances achieved in the bilateral relationship, the comprehensive and profound growth in diplomatic relations between the two countries in recent times; and expressed their belief in the positive outcomes in the future of the bilateral relations based on the foundation of friendship, cultural exchanges and common interests. On the basis of the achievements gained and positive results from the common awareness of mutual benefits and potential co-operation of the two countries, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Abe have exchanged ideas and measures to promote a comprehensive and strategic partnership for the sake of peace and prosperity in Asia between Vietnam and Japan, with a focus on strengthening political trust, promoting connectivity and economic co-operation, and enhancing co-operation in regional and international issues of shared concern.

The two leaders agreed to continue to maintain regular visit exchanges and the exchange of high-level delegations as well as expand and improve upon the existing dialogue cooperation mechanisms. The two leaders agreed to promote the connection of two economies towards long-term sustainability in a number of areas in which both parties have a comparative advantage, potential and resources that can complement and support each other along sustainable development, with a focus on connection of the strategic economic development, connection of production capacity and connectivity of human resources. They also agreed to co-ordinate on the effective implementation of medium and long-term goals in agricultural co-operation between Vietnam and Japan and to promote defense exchanges at all levels. Prime Minister Abe affirmed that Japan will continue to co-operate with and support Vietnam in sustainable economic development, prioritising ODA for Vietnam, with an ODA of around JY100 billion for the road project of North – South Highway and ports in the short term; Japan will also strengthen co-operation in training human resources for Vietnam in the coming time.

Amongst the presence of high-ranking officials, leaders of the two countries exchanged opinions on a number of issues of international and regional concern. Both sides shared concerns over the recent complicated situations in the East Sea, emphasising the importance and need to comply with international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982 and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), as well as the soon-to-be established the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The official visit of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to Japan was successfully concluded. The visit is an important political event, creating motivation for a new and bright chapter in the relationship between Vietnam and Japan, meeting the expectations and wishes of both countries in relation to the current international context, for the interests of the two peoples, for peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and around the world.

NHAN DAN