Japan-Viet Nam Joint Press Communique

1. Introduction

At the invitation of the Japanese Government, the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, H.E. Mr. Nong Duc Manh, paid an official visit to Japan October 2-5, 2002. During the course of the visit, General Secretary Nong Duc Manh was received in audience by His Majesty The Emperor of Japan and held talks with Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and met other distinguished figures including business leaders.

2. New Japan-Viet Nam Relationship in the 21st Century

(1) Overview

Taking note of the recent vigorous and comprehensive development in the Japan-Viet Nam relationship, Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and General Secretary Nong Duc Manh shared the view that, Japan and Viet Nam, sincere and open partners who "act together, advance together" in Asia-Pacific region, would actively contribute to the peace, stability and prosperity of the region, by promoting their friendly and cooperative relationship in the spirit of "long-term stability and mutual trust" built upon equal partnership. The Japanese side expressed its conviction that multifaceted cooperation with Viet Nam, now esteemed as "Thang-Long" (Ascending Dragon) in the region, could be a robust "locomotive" to consolidate Japan's relationship with ASEAN. The Vietnamese side welcomed a more active role to be played by Japan in the region.

(2) Enhancement of the Political Dialogue

Two sides held that the enhancement of bilateral contacts and dialogues at various levels, particularly political dialogues, would help deepen the mutual understanding as regional partners. They both shared the perspective that Political Consultation at Foreign Vice-Ministerial Level and the Foreign Affairs-National Defense Inter-Governmental Dialogue should be held on an annual basis.

(3) Reinforcement of Economic Relations

1. General Secretary Nong Duc Manh confirmed that Viet Nam would continue with "Doi Moi" (Renewal) policy even more actively. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi highly welcomed it and expressed Japan's consistent support for this policy of Viet Nam.
2. In response to Japan's request to further improve the domestic environment for direct investment from Japan, the Vietnamese side reconfirmed its consistent policy on facilitating foreign investors' long-term and stable business activities in Viet Nam. In this context, both leaders acknowledged that, since 1999, the Working Group on Investment and Trade, composed of representatives from the governments and other various sectors, had substantially contributed to the expansion of the investment and trade between the two countries.
3. Both leaders were of the view that an early signing of the Japan-Viet Nam Agreement for Liberalization, Promotion and Protection of Investment would further invigorate economic activities in this region and would constitute an early harvest of bilateral manifestation of "Initiative for Japan-ASEAN Comprehensive Economic Partnership," one of the five policy pillars that Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi had proposed in January for upgrading the long-lasting cooperation between Japan and ASEAN. They also shared the prospects that this Agreement, combined with Viet Nam's efforts to accede to the WTO, would become an essential steppingstone between Japan and Viet Nam toward Comprehensive Economic Partnership.
4. The Vietnamese side expressed its deep appreciation to Japan's Official Development Assistance (ODA) for having contributed to Viet Nam's social and economic development. Given the current budgetary situation, the Japanese side called upon Viet Nam, a priority recipient, for even further efficient and effective use of its ODA, to which the Vietnamese side renewed its commitment. In the same vein, the two sides shared the hope that the bilateral cooperation in such fields as education and training, information technology and culture and sports would be even further promoted.

(4) Bilateral Exchange of People

Both leaders recognized the importance of broadening bilateral exchanges on various levels, including bilateral visits by dignitaries, to further cultivate Japan-Viet Nam relations. In this spirit, General Secretary Nong Duc Manh extended an invitation to Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan to visit Viet Nam.

3. Foreign Policy Issues of Mutual Interests

Comparing notes on international issues of mutual interests, both leaders emphasized the significance of closer cooperation between the two countries on bilateral and multilateral as well as regional and international fora. Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi explained to General Secretary Nong Duc Manh about his recent trip to Pyongyang. General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in turn highly valued the positive outcome of the visit and expressed his hope that a successful conclusion of the normalization talks would contribute to the peace and stability of the region. Both leaders also touched upon the importance of Viet Nam's early ratification of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and reconfirmed their undertakings to eradicate terrorism, concurring with such international commitments as Counter-Terrorism Statement of the APEC Summit in Shanghai in October 2001 and the ASEM Copenhagen Declaration on Cooperation Against International Terrorism in September 2002.

4. 30th Anniversary of Establishment of Japan-Viet Nam Diplomatic Relations

The two leaders were mindful of the historical significance of the Year 2003, which marks the ASEAN-Japan Exchange Year and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, and confirmed their intentions to promote a variety of events and activities throughout the Year. In this context, they confirmed that they would give special attention to September as "Month of Japan" in Viet Nam and "Month of Viet Nam" in Japan respectively, recalling that their diplomatic relations were established in September 1973.

Tokyo, October 4, 2002

(End)