Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh speaks at the 25th International Conference on the Future of Asia in Tokyo, Japan, on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dao Tung

Minh said Vietnam appreciates the need to obey international law, prevent and address disputes by peaceful means, and support multilateralism and global partnerships.
He said the country wants all nations to be prosperous, so employs a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, co-operation and development, as well as focusing on multilateral international relations, improving the business environment and investing in education.

The Vietnamese official stressed the world is entering a new era with a lot of uncertainty in politics, economics and societal issues.

Uncertainty is increasing due to major challenges facing the global economy, including trade tensions between leading economies, stagnating international trade, debt, climate change, and the negative impacts of technology.

According to Minh, the uncertainties and challenges affect the global economy and relations between nations.

Countries should work together to address these challenges, as all nations want peace and prosperity, he added.

Minh pointed to three criteria for a new global order, namely consolidating inclusive multilateralism, operating on the basis of law with the UN at the centre and ensuring fair principles.

On Vietnam-Japan relations, he said he is delighted with the development of bilateral ties, saying the Vietnamese Government wants Japanese investment in high technology, smart agriculture, logistics and the supporting industry, while pledging to help Japanese enterprises operate in Vietnam.

The 25th International Conference on the Future of Asia, sponsored by Nikkei Inc., is taking place in Tokyo from May 30-31 under the theme of ‘Seeking a new global order – Overcoming the chaos’.

Economic bond

Deputy Prime Minister Minh and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono held talks and co-chaired the 11th meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee on the same day.

During the event, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation between their economies by expanding connections in investment, trade, industry, energy and agriculture.

They reached a consensus on promoting cooperation to receive Vietnamese workers and trainees, as well as in the strict control of sending and receiving labourers and overseas students who violate laws of both Vietnam and Japan. They agreed to push for the early signing of an agreement on the transfer of convicted persons.

Deputy PM and FM Minh asked the Japanese to simplify procedures to grant visas for Vietnamese citizens to enter Japan.

The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination at international and regional forums, promote international economic links, including the effective implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

The two sides exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, saying they will work closely for the success of the G20 Osaka Summit in Japan in June.

In his speech, Minister Kono appreciated Vietnam's determination to innovate and promote administrative reforms to improve the investment environment and facilitate economic development. He said Japan will support Vietnam in fostering sustainable development, improving competitiveness and labour productivity, building e-government, training human resources, responding to climate change, and developing telecommunications information.

He also spoke highly of the role played by Vietnam in the region, especially in the context that Vietnam is the coordinator of the ASEAN-Japan relations and will be the Chair of ASEAN in 2020. He expressed the desire to work closely with Vietnam to promote cooperation between Japan and the Southeast Asian region. - VNS

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