Hanoi (VNA)♕ –Confidence building among countries plays an important role in achieving peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, said Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Hiroshi Fukada.

Speaking at an international symposium held by the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam and the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS) in Hanoi on December 4, the diplomat stressed that ASEAN should further promote its central role through existing multilateral forums and cooperation mechanisms, thus building trust among countries. He affirmed that maintaining peace and stability in Asia and the world is crucial to nations’ development and prosperity. According to VASS Vice Chairman Pham Van Duc, Asia holds an important position in the world’s geopolitical map, and is also a dynamic development centre boasting abundant resources, strong economic connections and numerous sea transport routes. However, the region is facing risks and challenges of insecurity related to national thought, territorial sovereignty disputes, and strategic trust among countries, he stressed. He said the workshop serves as a venue for researchers to discuss and put forward a future vision, along with measures and policies to enhance friendship and mutual trust among Asian nations, thus contributing to maintaining peace, stability and development in the region. Sharing views with Duc, Prof. Nguyen Tien Sam, former Director of the Institute of Chinese Studies, underlined the need to increase joint patrols at sea among navy and coast guard forces of regional countries, curb unilateral military activities, abide by international law, promote the sharing of information and set up a maritime security control centre in the region. Prof. Oba Mie from the Tokyo University of Science said it is necessary to improve efficiency of multilateral mechanisms and forums in the region such as the ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF), the ASEAN Security Community (ASC), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) , and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus ( ADMM+) in order to spur strategic trust building among regional nations. He noted that security and political links between ASEAN member nations and other countries is a basic condition to build trust and ensure security in the area.-VNA