Hanoi (VNA) –Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held talks in Hanoion September 13 with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono on the occasion of thelatter’s participation in the World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN) 2018.The talks followed the 10th session of the Vietnam – Japan CooperationCommittee co-chaired by the two.

At the talks, the two sidesrejoiced at the strong, rapid and comprehensive development of the Vietnam –Japan relations over the recent past and exchanged ideas on concrete measuresto further intensify the bilateral ties, including the continuation of visitsand contacts by high-ranking officials as well as the thorough preparations forvisits by high-ranking leaders in the time to come. They also agreed to maintainand improve the efficiency of exchange and dialogue mechanisms between the twoforeign ministries, as well as to further raise the effectiveness of bilateralcooperation in the field of security and national defence.

Minister Kono affirmed thatVietnam’s sustainable development plays an important role in peace, stabilityand development cooperation in the region and the world over. Japan willsupport, help and cooperate with Vietnam at regional and international forums,including the successful holding of multilateral activities such as the WEFASEAN 2018, he said and added that his country attaches importance to and hopesto develop the relations with Vietnam in a more vigorous, intensive, extensiveand practical way.

The sides exchanged ideas onregional and international issues of mutual concern, and agreed to continuestrengthening their close cooperation at multilateral forums. They also sharedthe view that it is necessary to maintain the central role of ASEAN in solvingregional problems; to boost the ASEAN – Japan ties; and agreed to support eachother in their bids to become non-permanent members of the United NationsSecurity Council. The two sides stressed they will cooperate with each other toaccelerate the liberalization of trade through the early implementation of theComprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)as well as to complete negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive EconomicPartnership (RCEP).

On the East Sea issues, thetwo sides shared their concern on the recent complex developments in the EastSea, and agreed on the importance of ensuring security, maritime and aviationsafety; the settlement of disputes by peaceful measures on the basis of internationallaw, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982; thefull respect of diplomatic and legal procedures; and the full and seriousimplementation of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC),proceeding to the early completion of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea(COC), thus contributing to ensuring peace and security in the region.-VNA