HÀ NỘI – Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc expressed hope that his visit to Japan on May 26-28 will create new impetus to further strengthen the relationship between Việt Nam and Japan. Strong co-operation is in the interests of the two countries’ people, and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world, he said.
In an interview with Japanese news outlets ahead of his trip, the PM said he and his Japanese counterpart PM Shinzo Abe will discuss general ideas and specific measures to foster bilateral ties in various areas. Specific areas of focus include mutual political trust and co-operation in economy, trade, investment, official development assistance (ODA), support industries, agriculture, natural disaster and climate change response, health care, education-training, science and technology.
Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties 43 years ago, the Việt Nam-Japan relationship has made great strides forward, he said.
The bilateral economic partnership is blooming, the PM said, noting that Japan is Việt Nam’s leading economic partner with two-way trade exceeding US$28 billion in 2015.
About 2,000 Japanese enterprises are operating in Việt Nam, including some of Japan’s biggest companies, with more than 3,000 projects worth a combined $39 billion.
The two countries are working together in implementing large-scale projects in infrastructure and energy in Việt Nam.
Their collaboration in education, science-technology and culture as well as people-to-people exchanges is also worthy of note, Prime Minister Phúc said.
Việt Nam welcomed nearly 700,000 Japanese visitors in 2015 and nearly 200,000 Vietnamese travelled to Japan the same year.
The Government leader attributed the thriving relations to strategic visions set forth by the countries’ leaders as well as their people’s support. The relationship is in line with global trends towards peace, friendship and co-operation for prosperous development, he said.
To enhance relations with Japan, Việt Nam will focus its efforts on an action plan of six industrial sectors prioritised in the country’s industrialisation strategy within the Việt Nam-Japan co-operation framework through 2020 with a vision towards 2030, the PM said, calling for more Japanese assistance in the support industry.
Việt Nam will promote economic links with Japan, aiming to double bilateral trade by 2020 as set in the Joint Statement issued in 2014, the PM said.
The leader called on Japan to maintain its ODA to Việt Nam, especially in infrastructure building, human resource development, natural disaster and climate change combat, environmental protection, management capacity improvement, economic restructuring and sustainable growth.
“We welcome Japan’s Partnership for Quality Infrastructure programme in Asia, an initiative raised by PM Shinzo Abe and hope to become Japan’s priority partner in the programme,” he stated.
The PM also pinpointed the need to bolster co-operation in agriculture, science-technology and climate change.
Regarding the expanded G7 Summit Japan in which Việt Nam will participate for the first time, PM Phúc pledged constructive and responsible contributions to the event.
Việt Nam hopes that participating countries will contribute their voice and take pragmatic actions to consolidate peace and stability, settle regional and global issues, especially those relating to sustainable development, infrastructure, natural disasters and climate change, terrorism, food, water resource, maritime and aviation security, he said.
In response to queries about Việt Nam’s 30-year renewal process, PM Phúc highlighted the significance of the period for the country’s development, affirming that through comprehensive and intensive reforms, the process is bringing great achievements and breakthroughs to Việt Nam.
The PM said, coming from a poor background, Việt Nam had become a middle income country with a dynamic economy.
Việt Nam’s economy recorded impressive growth, at about 7 per cent per year from 1991-2015. Per capita income saw strong surges, reaching more than $2,100 in 2015 from $200 at the beginning of 1990s.
Meanwhile politics and social order has been stable, defence and security have been ensured, and national independence and sovereignty have been safeguarded.
Foreign relations and international integration have improved in line with international rules and standards, helping raise Việt Nam’s position and prestige in the international arena, he noted.
These achievements are an important foundation for Việt Nam to further promote its Đổi mới (renewal) process, aiming to turn the country into a modernisation-oriented industrialised country and gradually narrowing development gaps with countries in the region and the world, the PM stressed.
Việt Nam will push ahead with its renewal process and maximise the country’s potential and strength, in order to bring prosperity, democracy and justice to all people.
The Government and Prime Minister are determined to reform and better their leadership and management towards building an strong government, which will further national construction and development, and best serve the people, the Government leader stated.
Work will be intensified to better national mechanisms and policies, ensure justice and transparency, effectively fight corruption and wastefulness, promote administrative reform, improve the investment and business environment and facilitate operation of enterprises and individuals, he added. --VNS