In an exclusive interview with reporters from The World and Vietnam Newspaper, Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN Kiya Masahiko emphasized Vietnam's important role in the development of the Association and in promoting partnerships between ASEAN and other countries, including Japan.
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| General Secretary To Lam attended the ceremony to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Vietnam joining ASEAN and delivered a policy speech at the ASEAN Secretariat on March 10. (Photo: Tuan Anh) |
This year marks the 30th anniversary of Vietnam joining ASEAN. As an important partner of both Vietnam and ASEAN, how does the Ambassador view Vietnam's efforts in the role and position of ASEAN over the past 3 decades?
Vietnam plays an important role in promoting ASEAN’s development goals and strengthening the Association’s partnerships. The success of the ASEAN Future Forum is a testament to this. As a proactive member, Vietnam has contributed to shaping ASEAN’s strategic directions and strengthening the Association’s central role.
Under Vietnam's role as ASEAN Chair in 2020, the Joint Statement of the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) was adopted.
Japan highly appreciated Vietnam's contributions as the country coordinator for Japan-ASEAN relations at that time. Vietnam's active participation in regional dialogues, economic partnerships and security frameworks has strengthened ASEAN's joint efforts to achieve peace, stability and sustainable development.
Within the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World, Japan continues to cooperate with Vietnam to maintain a free, open, and rules-based international order.
How does the Ambassador assess ASEAN's central role in promoting peace, stability and development in the region amid the rapid changes taking place today?
As divisions and conflicts within the international community become increasingly severe and the security environment becomes increasingly complex, ASEAN becomes a key platform in the Indo-Pacific region in maintaining regional peace and prosperity.
Mechanisms such as the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the East Asia Summit (EAS) play an important role in promoting dialogue and cooperation between ASEAN and its external partners. In a volatile international context, ASEAN centrality plays an important role in strengthening regional cooperation, addressing transnational challenges and promoting sustainable development.
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| Japanese Ambassador to ASEAN KIYA Masahiko gives an interview to The Gioi va Viet Nam Newspaper on February 25. (Photo: Tuan Anh) |
In a fragmented world as many experts have observed, how can ASEAN and Japan cooperate to promote peace and cooperation, Ambassador?
ASEAN and Japan can promote cooperation for peace and prosperity through multilateral mechanisms. Japan is committed to supporting ASEAN integration and expanding relations with countries in the region.
Promoting cooperation in emerging areas such as green transformation (GX) and digital transformation (DX) helps us create a bright future together.
In addition, Japan's support for a Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP) is consistent with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), which promotes a rules-based order and respect for international law.
Japan's initiatives, such as the Asian Zero Emission Community (AZEC) and the Conference on East Asian Cooperation for the Development of Palestine (CEAPAD), demonstrate the potential for Japan-ASEAN cooperation on a global scale.
Regarding ASEAN, what is your assessment of the spirit of solidarity and self-reliance, along with ASEAN's continuous development goals (for example, the ASEAN Community Vision 2045)?
The spirit of solidarity and self-reliance is the core identity of ASEAN. As long ago as 1977, then Japanese Prime Minister Fukuda Takeo, in his famous “Fukuda Doctrine”, pledged to actively cooperate with ASEAN and its member states to strengthen these values.
Since then, Japan has consistently supported ASEAN's solidarity and development goals, particularly through the Japan-ASEAN Integration Fund (JAIF).
Thank you very much Ambassador!
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