People's Army Online - On October 14, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Dung, Head of the ASEAN Senior Officials Delegation (SOM) of Vietnam and Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori co-chaired the ASEAN-Japan Forum 35th time.

The Forum reviewed the recent situation of ASEAN-Japan cooperation including reviewing the implementation of the results of the ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers Meeting to prepare for the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit, at the same time exchange 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. To implement this policy, Japan promotes cooperation with Southeast Asia and consider ASEAN's central role importance. Deputy Minister Mori affirmed that Japan supports ASEAN's position on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) wish to join ASEAN in practical implementation of this point of view.

ASEAN countries highly appreciate the role of Japan in regional cooperation for peace, stability and shared prosperity. The countries also expressed satisfaction at the implementation of the Plan for implementing the ASEAN-Japan Vision Statement 2018-2022 and appreciated that Japan had supported ASEAN in coping with Covid-19 with many initiatives and effective practical cooperation. ASEAN thanked Japan for its commitment of contributing US $ 1 million to the Covid-19 Response Fund and for US $ 50 million to support ASEAN in establishing the ASEAN Center for Emergency Public Health and New Disease Issues.

Speaking as the coordinator of the ASEAN-Japan dialogue relationship, Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung highly appreciated the positive progress in ASEAN-Japan cooperation despite the difficulties and challenges caused by Covid-19. cause. Deputy Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung suggested the two sides continue to work closely in response to Covid-19, to soon establish the ASEAN CDC to minimize negative impacts and promote overall recovery. 

HÀ NỘI — High-ranking officials from ASEAN member countries spoke highly of Japan’s role in regional co-operation, contributing to common peace, stability and prosperity at the 35th ASEAN-Japan Forum on Wednesday.

The virtual forum was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyễn Quốc Dũng and his Japanese counterpart Takeo Mori.

Speaking on behalf of Việt Nam, which acts as the co-ordinating country for ASEAN-Japan relations in the 2018-21 term, Deputy Foreign Minister Dũng, who is also head of Việt Nam's ASEAN SOM, appreciated progress made in ASEAN-Japan partnership despite challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He proposed the two sides continue to work closely to soon establish ASEAN’s Centre for Disease Control, reduce negative impacts of the pandemic and accelerate recovery efforts.

Representatives from ASEAN countries expressed satisfaction at the implementation of the ASEAN-Japan Vision Statement in the 2018-22 period and appreciated Japan’s support for ASEAN in responding to COVID-19 with a number of initiatives and effective practical co-operation.

ASEAN expressed gratitude for Japan’s support including a donation of US$1 million to the COVID-19 Response Fund and $50 million to establish the ASEAN centre for emerging diseases and public health emergencies.

ASEAN member states emphasised the significance of strengthening co-operation to ensure regional peace, stability and security for common regional interests as means to address issues on the Korean Peninsula and the South China Sea.

Japanese Senior Deputy Foreign Minister Takeo Mori affirmed that the new government led by Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga would maintain Japan's policy which upholds peace, stability, dialogue and co-operation in the region.

Japan supports the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) and wishes to put the viewpoint into practice together with ASEAN, he said.

The Japanese diplomat spoke highly of ASEAN’s efforts in responding to the pandemic and committed further assistance for the bloc to reduce adverse impacts on the socio-economy and strive for sustainable recovery.

He highlighted the importance of demilitarisation, not using and threatening to use force and called for peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with international laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). Japan expects parties to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties on the South China Sea (DOC) and soon adopt the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC) in accordance with international laws and UNCLOS 1982.

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

Also at the meeting, Vietnamese Deputy Minister Nguyễn Quốc Dũng informed delegates of the plan for the 23rd ASEAN-Japan Summit and pledged to work closely with countries for the success of the important event.