Strengthening friendly and cooperative relations with Japan

(Baonghean) - In recent years, the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Nghe An province has carried out many activities, actively contributing to promoting the friendly cooperation relationship between the people of the two countries. On the occasion of the 2nd Congress of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Nghe An province, Nghe An Newspaper reporter talked with Mr. Nguyen Xuan Du - Chairman of the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Nghe An province.

Japan Cultural Week Exhibition in Nghe An.

PV:As a "bridge" of friendship between Nghe An province and Japan, what outstanding activities has the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Nghe An province had in recent times, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Du:The Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Nghe An province was established in 2008. Since its establishment, the Association has carried out many diverse and rich activities, acting as a bridge to mobilize and promote friendship and cooperation activities, economic, cultural, scientific and technological exchanges between the two sides, making practical and important contributions to building, consolidating and enhancing the traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Nghe An and Japan. The Association has organized many meetings, seminars, information exchanges, and friendship exchanges to celebrate major holidays in Japan. In particular, in 2013, the Association and the Union of Friendship Organizations proactively coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs to advise the Provincial People's Committee to issue Plan No. 55/KH-UBND on organizing the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan.

To effectively implement this plan, the Association has proactively worked with the Asaba Association, Shizuoka Prefecture, the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Hanoi, successfully organizing the "Japan Cultural Week" in Nghe An with many rich contents. In addition, the Association has made great efforts in seeking, creating and building friendly relationships with many Japanese organizations such as: the Embassy of Japan in Vietnam, the Japan Foundation Center for Cultural Exchange in Hanoi, the Japan-Vietnam Bridge Association, the Japan Asaba Association, the Peace Without Borders Association representing in Vietnam, the Okayama Prefecture Disabled People's Welfare Association, etc.; at the same time, creating an important change in the awareness of all levels, sectors and people about the significance of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan, thereby creating a driving force to expand and enhance the friendly and cooperative relationship between Nghe An and Japanese partners.

Through the publication of the Association's newsletters (some of which are printed in both Japanese and Vietnamese), organizing seminars, meetings to exchange information, introducing the country and people of Nghe An, the economic development potential, and the province's investment attraction policies to Japanese partners. At the same time, proactively establishing friendly relations and cooperation with Japanese localities that have many similarities with Nghe An, attracting Japanese investors to Nghe An.

In addition to presiding over local activities, they also fully participate in central activities. In general, Japanese organizations that have relations with the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association Nghe An have all together effectively carried out people-to-people diplomacy according to the policies of the Vietnamese and Japanese governments.

PV:Japan is a country with a developed economy; Nghe An is a province with great potential to attract businesses and investors. Could you tell us what actions the Association has taken to promote investment cooperation from Japan?

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Du: To attract and strengthen Japan's investment cooperation with Nghe An, the Association has coordinated with the Japan-Vietnam Bridge Association in Japan to contact Kasumigaura City of Japan to establish friendly cooperation with Vinh City of Nghe An. The two sides have signed a cooperation agreement and have sent Mayor-level delegations to work and visit each other. The Association also introduced Mayor Miyasima Mitsuaki and the Kasumigaura City delegation to work with the leaders of Vinh University of Technical Education; introduced and brought the Asaba Association of Japan delegation to visit Nam Dan district, Phan Boi Chau Memorial House, and work with the leaders of Phan Boi Chau High School for the Gifted. The Japan-Vietnam Bridge Association (Japan) also, through the Nghe An Vietnam-Japan Friendship Association, invited the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Tsukuba City to visit Vinh City and Nghe An province. In addition, the Association has acted as a bridge to bring Japanese enterprises to Vinh City to organize seminars to introduce products and survey investment opportunities.

The Embassy of Japan and the Government of Japan have committed to providing non-refundable aid to the Vietnam - Japan Friendship Association of Nghe An for the project of supplying domestic water to Nam Thanh commune, Nam Dan district. This is considered a great result in the Association's people-to-people diplomacy activities. This project was completed in July 2014 with high quality and efficiency. The Vietnam - Japan Association, the Association for the Support of the Disabled and Orphans of Vinh City also mobilized 770 manual wheelchairs and some other funds from the Welfare Association of the Disabled in Okayama Prefecture, Japan. This is a very meaningful work, demonstrating the affection and friendship between the people of Nghe An and Okayama provinces. Currently, JVBB Company is investing in the construction of an electrolytic water production plant in Nghi Phu Industrial Park (Vinh City) and ERS Company of Japan is coordinating with Vinh Urban Environment Company to promote the investment in the construction of a waste treatment plant in Vinh City.

PV:In the coming time, what specific programs and plans will the Association build to continue to develop the Nghe An - Japan relationship, sir?

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Du:Firstly, the Association continues to promote information and propaganda work on people's foreign affairs, and propagate the Party and State's foreign policies and guidelines on the results of the Association's people's foreign affairs activities to members and all classes of people.

Second, strengthen and expand relationships with Japanese partners. Strengthen and improve the effectiveness of existing relationships, actively seek new partners. Further strengthen the relationship with the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, the Japan Cultural Exchange Center in Hanoi. Enhance the relationship with the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association, the Bridge Association, the Japan Asaba Association, the Nghe An Association in Japan; further develop the relationship with friendship associations between localities of Nghe An province and cities of Japan. In the immediate future, connect a Japanese city with Cua Lo town; have a program to expand friendly relations with Japanese FDI partners in Vietnam and Nghe An.

Third, innovate the content and method of friendship exchanges. The Association will innovate both the content and form when organizing friendship exchanges to celebrate events, holidays, and national days of Japan to strengthen the friendship between the people of Nghe An and the people of Japan with many rich contents such as organizing presentations, promoting and introducing the country and people of Nghe An and Japan.

Fourth, strengthen the organization and develop the Association.

Fifth, participate in exploiting foreign aid sources and ensuring funding for the Association's operations.

We expect a lot and especially mobilize collective strength to best deploy, maintain and continue to expand and deepen the Nghe An - Japan friendship.

PV:Thank you very much!

Le Thanh(Perform)