Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính meets with visiting Japanese Defense Minister Kihara Minoru in Hà Nội on Tuesday. VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính reiterated that defence cooperation is a crucial pillar in bilateral relations between Việt Nam and Japan, calling on both countries to further enhance their collaboration in areas including personnel training, technology transfer, equipment support, cybersecurity and cooperation between defence enterprises.

Speaking during the meeting with visiting Japanese Defence Minister Kihara Minoru in Hà Nội on Tuesday, PM Chính said he was pleased to observe that since the establishment of diplomatic relations in September 1973, with the efforts of both sides, Việt Nam-Japan ties had developed steadily, deepened and expanded across all fields.

In 2023, the two countries organised nearly 500 meaningful activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and upgrade the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World.

PM Chính emphasised that Việt Nam remained committed to an independent, self-reliant foreign policy, with a focus on multilateralism and diversification. Việt Nam aimed to be a trusted partner and a responsible member of the international community for peace and development in the region and the world.

He said Việt Nam valued and sought to effectively implement the framework of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World with Japan.

The Prime Minister proposed that both sides encourage Japanese investors to invest more in high-quality projects in Việt Nam, along with technology transfer, management capacity enhancement and personnel training. He also suggested increasing economic connectivity, boosting bilateral trade and facilitating the entry of Vietnamese agricultural products into the Japanese market.

PM Chính highlighted the importance of advancing new-generation ODA cooperation focused on major projects, cooperation in emerging fields such as semiconductor chips and artificial intelligence, enhancing vocational training, labour cooperation, and facilitating the lives of the Vietnamese community in Japan.

He also stressed promoting cultural and sports exchanges, people-to-people interactions and cooperation in addressing issues such as population and development, resource depletion, digital transformation and green transformation.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister reaffirmed that the Vietnamese Government would create favourable conditions for the two ministries of defence to enhance exchanges, improve mutual understanding, build trust and collaborate closely.

In response, Kihara reported positive outcomes from talks with Vietnamese Defence Minister Phan Văn Giang. He stated that this visit aims to further strengthen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Việt Nam and Japan and advance defence cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including those mentioned by the Prime Minister.

The minister noted that he would report to the relevant authorities and coordinate with Japanese agencies to advance cooperation in other areas suggested by PM Chính.

During the meeting, both sides discussed global and regional situations. They emphasised the importance of ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), resolving disputes through peaceful means based on international law, particularly the UN Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

PM Chính used the occasion to thank the Japanese leaders for sending special envoy, former Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, to attend the national mourning for Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng and express condolences to the Party, State and people of Việt Nam.

He also extended an invitation for Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio to visit Việt Nam again at a suitable time. — VNS