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Flowers presented to the head of the Japanese delegation |
A welcoming ceremony for the Japanese coast guard vessel and delegation was solemnly co-held by the Coast Guard Region 2 Command and the municipal Department of Foreign Affairs.
Speaking at a press conference held after the welcoming ceremony, Colonel Satoshi NIWA, Captain of SETTSU patrol vessel, thanked the Vietnam Coast Guard and functional agencies of Da Nang and Vietnam for the warm welcome.
SETTSU with capacity of 3,304 tons and 50 crew-members is in service in Tokyo Region Command and tasked to combat maritime piracy and armed robbery. It is 105.4m long, 14.6m wide, and 29m tall. It can reach a maximum speed of 18 nautical miles per hour.
According to a report of the International Relations Department of the Vietnam Coast Guard, in 2006, the Vietnam Coast Guard was assigned by the Prime Minister to be the focal point of the Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia (ReCAAP). The Vietnam Coast Guard and the Japan Coast Guard are both ReCAAP members, so the two sides have established contact channels to exchange relevant information.
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At the welcoming ceremony |
From 2013-2019, the Japan Coast Guard sent patrol vessels or training ships to visit, exchange, and participate in joint drills with the Vietnam Coast Guard, and held talks to evaluate the outcomes of cooperation and exchange and agree on cooperation contents in the coming time, helping enhance understanding, improve qualifications, and strengthen the spirit of solidarity and friendship between the two sides.
The visit of SETTSU and Japanese coast guards to Da Nang city and exchange with the Vietnam Coast Guard Region 2 is one of the practical activities to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam - Japan diplomatic ties, the 75th founding anniversary of the Japan Coast Guard, and 25th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Coast Guard.
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A press conference is held after the welcoming ceremony. |
The visit continues to affirm the fine cooperative relations between the Vietnamese and Japanese Coast Guards, contributing to maintaining maritime security and safety in the region. This is an opportunity for the two sides to share and learn experience in conducting law enforcement at sea and foster exchange, cooperation, and mutual understanding.
During the visit to Da Nang from February 13 to 18, the Japanese coast guard delegation will pay courtesy call on leaders of Da Nang city and visit places of interest in the Central city. The vessel’s leadership will work with Da Nang city’s Maritime Coordination Center and plans to visit Hoi An city, Quang Nam province.
Within the framework of the visit, the Vietnam Coast Guard and SETTSU patrol vessel will also meet and visit each other's units. The Coast Guard Region 2 Command will also welcome the deputy chief of the Japan Coast Guard to participate in cultural and sports exchanges between the two sides and coordinate in organizing drills on search and rescue, fire prevention and fighting at sea.
Translated by Tran Hoai