The interview focused on developments in Vietnam-Japanrelationship and Japan’s contributions to peace and stability inAsia-Pacific since the two countries elevated their ties to theExtensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Stability in Asia.
The Minister revealed that he frequently visited Vietnam sincebecoming a congressman and joining the Japan-Vietnam FriendshipParliamentarians’ Group.
“In my view, Vietnam is avery special country,” Kishida told the VNA, recounting his co-chair ofthe Japan-Vietnam Cooperation Committee’s meeting in 2014 and the twoprevious years with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham BinhMinh.
He spoke highly of the two sides discussingwide-ranging cooperation and ways to expedite the cooperation atJapan-Vietnam Cooperation Committee meetings.
He recalled histalks in this March in Japan with Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doanon the sidelines of the third UN World Conference on Disaster RiskReduction which came up with affirmation that bilateral affiliation willbe promoted.
Minister Kishida expressed his desires to speed upconnection with Vietnam as well as working together with the countryfor peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.
Regarding the scheduled birth of an ASEAN Community late this year,Kishida said he viewed a closely-knitted and more prosperous ASEAN isextremely crucial to peace, stability, and development in the region.
He asserted that Japan continues supporting the bloc’sefforts in reinforcing regional connectivity and narrowing thedevelopment gap among its member countries, and bolstering linkages withthe bloc in maritime security and natural disaster prevention andcontrol, among others.
Japan also wishes topromote regional cooperation where ASEAN plays the central role, theMinister said, looking forward to seeing the upcoming seventhJapan-Mekong Summit in Tokyo, which is expected to see the attendance ofPrime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, putting forth a new strategy tointensify connectivity with Vietnam.
On Japan’s role in creating apeaceful and stable environment in the Asian-Pacific region whosesecurity is increasingly facing hidden risks that could causeuncertainties and disputes, Minister Kishida quoted Prime MinisterShinzo Abe’s speech which referred to the “importance of the supremacyof law at sea”.
According to the Minister, “thesupremacy of law” in safeguarding order is of extreme importance for thesake of peace and stability in the region.
Grounded on the“positive pacifism” stance and the spirit of international harmony,Japan wishes to work together with Vietnam in continuous efforts towardspeace and stability in the region, he affirmed.
A year ago State President Truong Tan Sang made a State visit to Japan at the invitation of Emperor Akihito and Empress.
This was the first State visit by Truong Tan Sang as State Presidentand the second by the Head of State of Vietnam over the past 40 yearssince 1973 when the two countries established their diplomatic ties.
Thevisit was an important milestone marking a great progress in bilateralties as both sides agreed to promote their “Strategic Partnership” to“Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia’.-VNA