Vietnam desires to realise new partnership framework with Japan

Vietnam considers Japan a key and long-term partner, and wishes to work together with Japan to effectively and practically implement the newly upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man told Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki at a reception in Hanoi on October 9.

Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) receives Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki in Hanoi on October 9

Man said 2023 was a significant year in Vietnam – Japan relations as both countries for both countries celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties and upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

There is still much room and potential for Vietnam and Japan to explore in the coming time, especially in areas where Japan has strengths, such as digital transformation, green transformation, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, health care, culture, education, high-tech agriculture, and national defense and security, he said.

The legislator praised Japan for being the largest ODA donor to Vietnam and for channeling large amounts of investment into development projects in the country.

According to him, the two countries have frequently exchanged delegations at various levels, including friendship groups and young parliamentarians. Both sides support each other at regional and global inter-parliamentary forums, contributing positively to maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region and the world, such as in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), while also promoting Mekong-Japan cooperation.

He expressed his confidence that the ambassador, in his new term in Vietnam, will further enhance cooperation between the two countries and their legislative bodies.

On this occasion, Man respectfully conveyed his congratulations to Ishiba Shigeru on his election as Prime Minister of Japan, and believed that under Prime Minister Ishiba’s leadership, Japan will continue to prosper in the coming period.  He also thanked Japan for providing its timely support to the people in Vietnam’s northern provinces affected severely by Typhoon Yagi.

Naoki for his part revealed that the Japanese government has decided to provide more relief aid, including water purifiers and other necessities to seven Yagi-hit provinces of Yen Bai, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lang Son, Bac Giang, Tuyen Quang, and Dien Bien, to help the residents quickly stabilize their lives.

Japan will continue to explore ways to work with Vietnam to address the aftermath of the typhoon and the impacts of climate change, he told his host.

The diplomat also noted that Japanese investment has increased recently, making Japan the second-largest investor in Vietnam, and the two sides are now striving to double their two-way trade turnover to US$$100 billion over the next ten years.

Appreciating the role of the National Assembly in developing a sustainable economy in Vietnam, Naoki expressed Japan’s desire to continue strengthening cooperation and exchanges between the two countries’ parliaments. He emphasized the importance of enhancing high-level delegation exchanges, fostering interactions among parliamentarians, especially young and female lawmakers, and promoting friendship groups between the two parliaments.

He expected that many bills to be approved at the Vietnamese National Assembly’s year-end session would help promote cooperative relations between the two countries and attract Japanese investment in Vietnam, particularly in high-quality projects.

He also stated that Japan would continue to strive to create a better environment for Vietnamese people living and working in Japan, as well as to introduce policies to attract young workers to come and work in Japan.

VOV