Japan reaffirms support for ASEAN solidarity and centrality

At ASEAN-43, speaking at the ASEAN-Japan Summit, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio highlighted the importance of the trustful, heart-to-heart partnership with ASEAN with important achievements over the past 5 decades...

Sáng ngày 6/9, Thủ tướng Chính phủ Phạm Minh Chính đã cùng Lãnh đạo các nước dự các Hội nghị Cấp cao ASEAN-Nhật Bản lần thứ 26. (Ảnh: Anh Sơn)

At ASEAN-43: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and other leaders attended the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit. (Photo: Anh Son)

The 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit adopted a Joint Statement establishing the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, marking a new milestone in the 50th anniversary of the establishment of relations. The parties pledged to closely coordinate to successfully organize the Commemorative Summit in December 2023 in Tokyo.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio highlighted the importance of the trustful, heart-to-heart partnership with ASEAN, with important achievements over the past five decades, actively contributing to peace, stability and sustainable prosperity in the region.

The Japanese Prime Minister reaffirmed his support for ASEAN's solidarity and centrality as well as ASEAN's AOIP, and pledged to continue to actively participate in and make positive and effective contributions to ASEAN-led mechanisms.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Kishida hopes to welcome ASEAN Leaders to the Commemorative Summit in Tokyo next December, affirming that this is a golden opportunity to look back on the past 50 years and set out directions, create new momentum, and develop bilateral relations strongly in the future.

ASEAN-Japan cooperation has achieved many results. Japan is ASEAN's fourth largest trading partner and second largest investment partner, with trade turnover reaching 268.5 billion USD, up 11.2% over the same period last year. Total investment capital from Japan reached 26.7 billion USD, up 27.7% over the same period last year.

Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio at the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit. (Photo: Anh Son)

ASEAN highly appreciated Japan's additional contribution of 100 million USD to the ASEAN-Japan Integration Fund, supporting ASEAN in establishing and operating the ASEAN Centre for Public Health Emergencies and Emerging Diseases (ACPHEED).

Looking to the future, the two sides agreed to maintain and promote trade and investment exchanges, stabilize production and supply chains, effectively implement the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership (AJCEP) and the RCEP Agreement, promote cooperation in counter-terrorism and transnational crime, maritime security, disaster management, people-to-people and youth exchanges, innovation, digital transformation, development of electric vehicle ecosystems, energy, climate change response, clean energy transformation, and green growth.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that as an ASEAN member and an extensive strategic partner of Japan, Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to contribute to deepening the relationship, making it more effective and substantive.

The Prime Minister proposed making economic cooperation a key pillar and driving force for the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Accordingly, he asked Japan to facilitate ASEAN countries’ exports to the Japanese market and support regional enterprises to participate more deeply in the supply chain of Japanese enterprises and the global supply chain.

Affirming that Vietnam and ASEAN countries have been and will facilitate the operations of more than 15,000 Japanese enterprises, the Prime Minister hoped that Japanese strategic investors would join hands with ASEAN to further promote emerging and potential cooperation areas such as green economy, digital economy, circular economy, etc.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio. (Photo: Anh Son)

Emphasizing that comprehensive strategic partnerships need to aim for a sustainable development future for the people, the Prime Minister welcomed and affirmed his readiness to realize the idea of building the region into an innovation center.

At the same time, it is recommended to focus on developing high-quality human resources, people-to-people exchange, culture, tourism, and creating favorable conditions for people from ASEAN countries, including Vietnam, working and living in Japan.

The Prime Minister suggested that Japan actively coordinate with ASEAN to effectively implement Japan's initiatives on energy transition and the Asian net zero emission community, and together with ASEAN support the Mekong sub-region countries in managing and sustainably using water resources and improving their capacity to respond to climate change.

ASEAN and Japan Leaders issued a Joint Statement on Cooperation Based on the ASEAN AOIP Outlook.

The partners all affirmed their respect for ASEAN, their desire for extensive and substantive cooperation, and effective response to challenges. The countries also emphasized their desire to jointly promote dialogue and cooperation towards an open, transparent, inclusive region, upholding international law with ASEAN at the center.

Panorama of the 26th ASEAN-Japan Summit. (Photo: Anh Son)

Discussing regional and international issues, ASEAN reaffirmed its common stance on regional and international situations, including the situation in the East Sea, Myanmar, and the Korean Peninsula. Partner countries acknowledged and positively evaluated ASEAN's stance, pledging to coordinate to promote satisfactory resolution of emerging issues.

Faced with increasingly complex and unpredictable changes in the region and the world, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that ASEAN and its partners share common interests and responsibilities in ensuring peace, security, stability and development in the region, including the East Sea.

This afternoon, September 6, ASEAN leaders and partners continued to attend ASEAN summits with partners, including the ASEAN+3 Summit (with partners China, South Korea and Japan) and the ASEAN+1 Summits with the United States and Canada.

Source