Vietnam, Japan to bolster parliamentary ties, promote CPTPP

Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Affairs Nguyen Van Giau (left) and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono.

The official had working sessions with Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Japanese House of Representatives Yasuhide Nakayama, Foreign Minister Taro Kono, and Cabinet minister in charge of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Toshimitsu Motegi during the stay.

During the meetings, both sides shared the view that the bilateral relationship is developing fruitfully within the framework of the extensive strategic partnership, for peace and prosperity in Asia.

They took note of Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe’s visit to Vietnam on the occasion of his attendance at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in 2017, the official visit to Vietnam by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko last year and the most recent visit to Japan by President Tran Dai Quang in May 2018.

The two sides agreed to reinforce the friendship and comprehensive cooperation in the time to come.

Giau underlined that the bilateral economic-trade cooperation is at its best ever, with Japan being the top economic partner of Vietnam.

Two-way trade exceeding 33.4 billion USD in 2017, and Japan’s direct investment in Vietnam, at over 9 billion USD, made up 25 percent of the total foreign direct investment (FDI) poured in the country that year.

As of the end of 2017, Japanese investors had run 3,700 FDI projects worth 50 billion USD, he said, noting symbolic projects like Can Tho and Nhat Tan bridges, and projects on upgrading Noi Bai and Tan Son Nhat international airports.

Apart from the enhanced collaboration in education, training, employment and people-to-people exchange, the bilateral legislative ties have also been stepped up, as reflected through high-level visits by leaders of the two legislatures, exchanges between parliamentarians, and mutual support at multilateral inter-parliamentary forums.

The Japanese side said the legislative ties have become an important factor contributing to the comprehensive cooperation.

Japan also affirmed support for stronger cooperation with Vietnam, with attention paid to economy, trade and high-quality personnel training.

Japanese officials expressed their backing of the viewpoints and stance of Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regarding the East Sea issue, emphasising the need to maintain freedom, security and safety of navigation and aviation on the basis of respect for international law.

Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Japanese House of Representatives Yasuhide Nakayama described Giau’s visit as a new step forward in maintaining and developing the bilateral legislative ties and concretising agreements reached by leaders of the two legislative bodies in 2015 and 2017.

Regarding the CPTPP, the two sides agreed that the signing of the deal is an important event bearing great significance for curbing the spreading trend of trade protectionism.

They said the ratification and implementation of the agreement is expected to create a strong boost for regional and global trade.

Giau lauded the pioneer role played by Japan, the second country to ratify the deal, and asked Japan to share its experience with Vietnam in the ratification process and provide technical support for Vietnam in implementing the pact.

Foreign Minister Taro Kono appreciated Vietnam’s efforts and Vietnam-Japan cooperation during the process of negotiation and signing the CPTPP, and stressed the importance of free trade and free navigation in the region and the world.

The Vietnamese NA official also discussed with his Japanese hosts the role of the parliament’s committee for foreign affairs in supervising the implementation of bilateral agreements and international deals to which both countries are members.