Japan-Viet Nam Relations
Japan-Viet Nam Summit Meeting
November 20, 2016
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
Photo: Cabinet Public Relations Office
On November 20, commencing at 12:20 p.m. (local time) for approximately 30 minutes, Mr. Shinzo Abe, Prime Minister of Japan, held a Japan-Viet Nam Summit Meeting with H.E. Mr. Tran Dai Quang, President of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, in Lima, Peru, during his visit to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting. The overview of the meeting is as follows.
1 Opening remarks
Prime Minister Abe congratulated President Quang on his appointment in April, and explained that he feels honored to be able to hold a summit meeting with the President. Prime Minister Abe stated that under the Extensive Strategic Partnership, the relationship between Japan and Viet Nam is an ideal one, and requested President Quang's cooperation on ensuring a successful visit to Viet Nam by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan in spring next year as a symbol of that relationship. Additionally, Prime Minister Abe explained that he intends to cooperate on all fronts for the success of APEC 2017 in Vietnam.
President Quang stated that it is a great pleasure to have this opportunity to meet Prime Minister Abe, and expressed his gratitude for the Prime Minister's congratulations on his appointment. President Quang stated that Japan and Viet Nam have a very good relationship, and that he is pleased that cooperation is progressing in a broad range of fields under the Extensive Strategic Partnership. President Quang explained that Viet Nam's foreign policies have not changed following the party congress in January this year, and that Japan is a crucial partner to Viet Nam.
President Quang stated that it is a great pleasure to have this opportunity to meet Prime Minister Abe, and expressed his gratitude for the Prime Minister's congratulations on his appointment. President Quang stated that Japan and Viet Nam have a very good relationship, and that he is pleased that cooperation is progressing in a broad range of fields under the Extensive Strategic Partnership. President Quang explained that Viet Nam's foreign policies have not changed following the party congress in January this year, and that Japan is a crucial partner to Viet Nam.
2 Bilateral relations
President Quang explained that Japan is Viet Nam's biggest partner in terms of trade, investment, and Official Development Assistance (ODA) contributions, expressed his gratitude for the great interest Japan shows in the Government and the people of Viet Nam, and stated his hope to continue to strengthen exchanges in various fields between high level officials, between regions, and between people. President Quang highly appreciated that Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan will visit Viet Nam, and expressed the view that it will be a very important event for the two countries. In addition, President Quang expressed strong hope that Prime Minister Abe will visit Viet Nam again. Furthermore, President Quang explained that Viet Nam is scheduled to hold the APEC meetings in Da Nang in November next year, and requested support for its success. President Quang also noted that bilateral trade is currently favorable and Viet Nam continues to welcome investment from Japan.
Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for the invitation extended to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and stated he will cooperate on all fronts for the success of the APEC meetings next year. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe stated that he also feels overjoyed to have been invited himself, and intends to pursue high level exchanges, as well as exchanges between people. Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan is Viet Nam's largest donor country and explained that it pledged support of approximately 120 billion yen in the first half of this fiscal year. Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan will continue to provide the maximum cooperation to Viet Nam's development in the future, centering on developing quality infrastructure. Prime Minister Abe noted that Japanese companies are already undertaking considerable investment, but he hopes their investment will increase further. In light of that also, he expressed respect for Viet Nam's efforts to develop its business environment and his hope for further improvements in the investment environment. Additionally, with regard to Japan contributing firefighting and rescue vehicles to Viet Nam as requested by President Quang, Prime Minister Abe stated that a study on cooperation will begin this month, and explained that Japan has decided to contribute Waterway Police vessels to the Ministry of Public Safety's Waterway Police. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe explained that he intends to proceed with preparations to contribute new patrol vessels, which Viet Nam has requested on several occasions. Prime Minister Abe expressed the view that the relationship between Japan and Viet Nam is at a historically high point, and in partnership with President Quang he hopes to advance it further.
Prime Minister Abe expressed his gratitude for the invitation extended to Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and stated he will cooperate on all fronts for the success of the APEC meetings next year. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe stated that he also feels overjoyed to have been invited himself, and intends to pursue high level exchanges, as well as exchanges between people. Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan is Viet Nam's largest donor country and explained that it pledged support of approximately 120 billion yen in the first half of this fiscal year. Prime Minister Abe stated that Japan will continue to provide the maximum cooperation to Viet Nam's development in the future, centering on developing quality infrastructure. Prime Minister Abe noted that Japanese companies are already undertaking considerable investment, but he hopes their investment will increase further. In light of that also, he expressed respect for Viet Nam's efforts to develop its business environment and his hope for further improvements in the investment environment. Additionally, with regard to Japan contributing firefighting and rescue vehicles to Viet Nam as requested by President Quang, Prime Minister Abe stated that a study on cooperation will begin this month, and explained that Japan has decided to contribute Waterway Police vessels to the Ministry of Public Safety's Waterway Police. Furthermore, Prime Minister Abe explained that he intends to proceed with preparations to contribute new patrol vessels, which Viet Nam has requested on several occasions. Prime Minister Abe expressed the view that the relationship between Japan and Viet Nam is at a historically high point, and in partnership with President Quang he hopes to advance it further.
3 Cooperation in regional and international fora
With regard to the South China Sea issue, Prime Minister Abe and President Quang shared the view that peaceful resolution of disputes based on the rule of law is important, and confirmed that Japan and Viet Nam will continue to work together on this matter. Additionally, where the Trans-Pacific Partnership is concerned, the two leaders shared the position that the flow of free trade should not stop and that they will move their respective domestic procedures forward. The two sides also held a meaningful exchange of views on issues related to North Korea.