Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of the Delegation of ASEAN Senior Officials (SOM) of Vietnam and Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori co-chaired the 35th ASEAN-Japan Forum.

Recent situation of ASEAN-Japan cooperation, including reviewing the implementation of the results of ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers Meeting in preparation for the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit and delegates It also addresses international and regional issues of mutual interest.

At the meeting, Japan's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the new government led by Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide will maintain Japan's policy, uphold peace, stability, dialogue and cooperation in the region. ASEAN countries appreciate Japan's role in regional cooperation for peace, stability and shared prosperity. The countries also expressed their satisfaction on the implementation of the Plan for the implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Vision Statement 2018-2022 and appreciated that Japan had supported ASEAN to deal with Covid-19 with many initiatives and cooperation. practical and effective.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung highly appreciated the positive progress in ASEAN-Japan cooperation, despite the difficulties and challenges that Covid-19 caused during the meeting. Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung suggested the two sides continue to work closely in response to Covid-19 to soon establish CDC ASEAN in order to minimize negative impacts and promote joint recovery.

Speaking on behalf of Vietnam, the coordinating country for ASEAN-Japan relations in the 2018-21 term, Deputy Foreign Minister Dung, also the Head of the SOM ASEAN of Vietnam, highly appreciated the progress made in the relationship. ASEAN-Japan partner. despite the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He suggested the two sides continue to work closely to establish ASEAN's Centers for Disease Control early, reduce the negative impact of the pandemic and accelerate recovery efforts.

The leaders of ASEAN and Japan noted positive results in the implementation of the Action Plan 2018-2022 implementing the Declaration on ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, with 95% of the lines of action. has been and is being implemented. ASEAN countries welcomed Japan's initiatives and proposals for practical cooperation at the ASEAN + 3 Special Summit on COVID-April 19, 2020. ASEAN appreciates Japan for its commitment to contribute US $ 1 million to the ASEAN Fund to Respond to COVID-19 and especially supports US $ 50 million to establish the ASEAN Center to respond to public health emergencies and emerging diseases .

In the coming time, the two sides agreed to continue to work closely in controlling and eliminating the risk of COVID-19, overcoming the negative impacts of the epidemic, gradually recovering and stabilizing economic life- society, maintaining the regional production-supply chain ... The two sides affirmed the effective implementation of the First Protocol amending the ASEAN-Japan Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, effective from August 2020, adding new momentum to increase trade and investment exchanges between the two sides. ASEAN affirms that it is always an open market for international investors and businesses, including Japan.

ASEAN and Japan will continue to closely coordinate the implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Joint Declaration on connectivity through 2019, linking the implementation of the ASEAN Connectivity Master Plan 2025 with the Partnership for the expansion of infrastructure. Japanese high quality. ASEAN suggested Japan continue to actively support ASEAN's efforts to narrow the development gap and promote subregional cooperation, including through the Mekong-Japan cooperation framework.

ASEAN member states emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation to ensure regional peace, stability and security for the common interests of the region as a means of resolving problems on the Peninsula. Korea and South China Sea.

Senior Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori affirmed that the new government led by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga would uphold Japan's policy of promoting peace, stability, dialogue and cooperation in the region.

Japan supports the ASEAN Prospects of the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and wishes to put this perspective into practice with ASEAN, he said.

The Japanese diplomat appreciated ASEAN's efforts in responding to the pandemic and pledged to provide additional assistance to the bloc to reduce the negative impact on the socio-economy and strive for a sustainable recovery.

He emphasized the importance of demilitarization, the nonuse and threat of force, and called for the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on Law. Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982). Japan expects the parties to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and soon adopt the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in accordance with international law and UNCLOS 1982.

Takeo Mori reiterated Japan's readiness to have a peaceful and nuclear-free Korean Peninsula. The disarmament process on the peninsula needs to be conducted on comprehensive, verifiable and irreversible principles.

Also at the meeting, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung informed delegates about the plan to hold the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit and committed to work closely with other countries for the success of the event.