The diplomat emphasised the significance of ASEAN-Japan relations, stating that in the context of strong transformations in the region and the world, the two sides are working together to elevate their cohesive ties, take advantage of opportunities and address the challenges of the times posed to both sides.
“As the coordinator of ASEAN-Japan relations, Vietnam has made specific contributions, including the organisation of seminars to bring together scholars, policy makers and businesses, in order to discuss the focal issues of ASEAN and Japan’s concern, such as peace and stability, connecting the economies, digital connectivity, prosperous development in the current context, adaptation to the fourth Industrial Revolution, and aging population,” Dung said.
Touching on ASEAN-Japan cooperation in applying more advanced technology to the developments of areas, he stated that ASEAN countries could learn from Japan’s high-tech agriculture experience and cash in on the outcomes of digitalisation to boost regional agricultural development.
Remarking on Japan’s active participation in efforts to promote dialogue, cooperation and trust building in the region, Dung stressed that Japan is a very active partner of ASEAN and has been responsibly engaged in the ASEAN-led mechanisms, such as ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).
Japan shares many similar viewpoints on regional and international issues with ASEAN and highly values the bloc’s central role, he said, adding Japan respects ASEAN’s leadership and makes joint coordination efforts at the ASEAN-hosted forums.
The two sides will work together in the future to bring about synchronism in each other’s strategies, the diplomat revealed.
He emphasised that as the coordinator of ASEAN-Japan relations for 2018-2021, Vietnam needs to play a guiding and major role and coordinate with Japan in order to propose initiatives and implement activities, projects and documents to guide this relationship in the next three years.
