(VOVworld)- Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung began an official visit to Japan on Thursday at the invitation of his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe. During the 4-day visit, Prime Minister Dung will attend the Commemorative Summit marking the 40th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan dialogue relations and join the fifth Mekong-Japan Summit.
The relationship between Vietnam and Japan is developing rapidly 40 years since they set up their diplomatic ties in 1973. They have built up mutual trust and developed comprehensive cooperation reflected in the establishment of a strategic partnership which leaders and people of the two countries have agreed upon.
Becoming each other’s important partners
Vietnam and Japan have become each other’s important partners in all fields ranging from politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, investment and development assistance to human resource development, science and technology and people-to-people exchange.
In regard to politics, the bilateral cooperation has been constantly strengthened and upgraded. Both upgraded their relationship to a strategic partnership for peace, and stability in Asia in 2009. The two countries’ leaders have maintained regular visits and exchanges contributing to enhancing mutual trust and mapping out major orientations and specific solutions to boost bilateral ties.
In regard to economics, Japan has become Vietnam’s top partner and largest investor in terms of registered capital, disbursement and project quantity. Japan is Vietnam’s third largest bilateral trade partner with two-way trade turnover reaching 24.7 billion USD in 2012. They have signed several agreements including a Partnership Agreement on Vietnam-Japan Economic Cooperation which created favorable conditions and legal corridors for economic cooperative activities. The two have also accelerated cooperation in education, science, technology, culture, sports, national defense and maritime security. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh elaborates: “The Vietnamese- Japanese relationship is developing rapidly. As a result, they have built up mutual trust and developed comprehensive cooperation reflected in the establishment of a strategic partnership which is strongly supported by leaders and peoples of the two countries. This is a firm foundation to deepen bilateral ties in the near future for the practical benefit of the two peoples, and for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world”.
Geographical conditions, time-honored relationship and current strategic benefits have brought the two countries closer. They have granted each other highest priority in cooperation and enhanced people-to people exchange. Their friendship has been lively reflected in the sympathy and support that the two people have showed during their most difficult periods. Vietnamese people enthusiastically supported Japanese friends during the tsunami in March, 2011. Nghiem Vu Khai is President of Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association:“The two countries officially set up diplomatic ties 40 years ago, but the people-to-people relationship has lasted more than 400 years. In their history, both nations shared many similarities. Patriot and revolutionary activist Phan Boi Chau, who initiated the Eastern Journey Movement in 1905, said Vietnam and Japan were similar in terms of culture, people and continent. Over the past years, the two countries have discovered other similarities and have deepened them.
Enhancing cooperation for development
The development of the Vietnam-Japan relationship is the result of tireless efforts by both governments and peoples over the last 40 years. In the near future, the leaders agree to further bilateral cooperation, especially in Vietnam’s Industrialization Strategy within the Vietnam-Japan cooperation framework until 2020 and vision to 2030. Both are trying to double their two-way trade turnover by 2020 as agreed in their Joint Statement in 2011. Japan has always considered Vietnam its important partner in the region. So, Prime Minister Dung’s visit to Japan will contribute to furthering the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership.
Anh Huyen