Vietnam treasures the ASEAN-Japan strategic partnership

Speaking on behalf of the ASEAN, the Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister stressed that the two sides should implement the development orientations reached by their leaders through specific cooperation mechanisms, frameworks and projects, including realizing the ASEAN-Japan 10-year Strategic Economic Cooperation Roadmap and amending the implementation plan for the Vision Statement on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation. He added that they need to strengthen their navigation and aviation connection and soon complete an agreement on aviation services.

The Vietnamese head delegate also reaffirmed Vietnam’ and other ASEAN members’ consistent stance on the East Sea issue, and stressed the importance of settling disputes by peaceful means in conformity with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, while respecting legal and diplomatic processes, not using or threatening to use force, not conducting militarization activities, effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and soon completing a Code of Conduct in the waters.

The Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister hoped that ASEAN member countries would strengthen cooperation in defense and transnational crime prevention.

The 32nd ASEAN-Japan Forum was held in Banda Seri Begawan, Brunei, on March 1 and 2, and co-chaired by Brunei Deputy Foreign Minister Emaleen and Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Akiba.

Translated by Tran Hoai