October 19, 2019 | 21:06 (GMT+7)
Vietnam boosts cooperation with Japan in war consequence relief
PANO - A delegation of the Ministry of National Defense, led by its Deputy Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, Head of the National Steering Committee on the Settlement of Post-war Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) and Toxic Chemical Consequences (Steering Committee 701 in short), visited Japan from October 15 to 18 in a bid to boost cooperation in promoting war consequence relief in Vietnam.
As part of the visit, the delegation met with leaders of the Japanese Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Security Bureau of the National Police Agency, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and a number of relevant Japanese entrepreneurs.
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The Vietnamese high-ranking delegation (right) at a meeting with relevant Japanese agencies |
At these meetings, the two sides discussed their collaboration in easing war consequences over the past time and how to do it effectively in the coming time. General Vinh thanked relevant Japanese agencies and organizations for supporting Vietnam in carrying out projects on bomb and mine clearance and dioxin detoxification. He highlighted Japan’s provision of official development assistance to the newly established National Action Centre for Toxic Chemicals and Environmental Treatment (NACCET), with the supply of machinery and equipment for the survey and assessment of chemical pollution levels. Such cooperation has contributed to building mutual trust and reinforcing the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries, he added.
He suggested that Japanese agencies and organizations continue to work together with their Vietnamese counterparts, particularly Steering Committee 701, in implementing projects addressing the consequences of unexploded ordnance left by war and toxic chemicals, while studying the possibility of a long-term cooperation plan. General Vinh also noted that both sides should pay more attention to promoting communication campaigns to raise local and international awareness of the two countries’ collaboration efforts in the field.
During the trip, the delegation held a consultation with the Japanese Ministry of Defense on matters related to Vietnam's chairmanship of the ASEAN next year. The Vietnamese side asked Japan to join and support Vietnam’s initiatives, and coordinate with the Vietnamese Defense Ministry for the successful organization of relevant meetings and activities.
Translated by Chung Anh