Prime Minister Abe: Japan will provide Vietnam with new patrol vessels.

During his official visit to Vietnam, on the evening of January 16th, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe held a press conference to answer questions regarding relations between Japan and Vietnam.

(Photo: Minh Son/Vietnam+)

Opening the press conference, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe expressed his gratitude to the State and people of Vietnam for the warm welcome extended to him, unchanged from four years ago when he first visited Vietnam. This year, Vietnam will be the chair of the APEC conference, and Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he looks forward to the opportunity to visit Vietnam again this autumn.

Prime Minister Abe used the image of the Red River to describe the Japan-Vietnam relationship. "The majestic Red River flows through Hanoi, its course leading to the East Sea, then to the East China Sea, and connecting to Tokyo Bay. Nothing can stop the freedom of navigation on this river. Japan and Vietnam are two neighboring countries bound together by a free sea," Prime Minister Abe emphasized.

The Japanese Prime Minister affirmed that the Philippines, Indonesia, and Australia, the countries on this trip, are all important neighbors that share the vast Pacific Ocean and fundamental values ​​with Japan. The principles of security, safety, and freedom of navigation are extremely important. To implement these principles, the rule of law must be fully upheld.

Speaking about economic relations with Vietnam, Prime Minister Abe said that during this trip to various countries, Japanese companies had invested and established roots in industries such as construction, engineering, transportation, and trade, totaling 76 companies, with their leaders accompanying the Prime Minister's delegation.

Prime Minister Abe emphasized that the vibrant dynamism of the Asia-Pacific region will fuel Japan's growth, and that Japan wishes to share in this shared prosperity with Asian countries, fostering mutual benefit and synergy.

The Japanese Prime Minister emphasized that his country supports the establishment of a free market based on rules, fairness, and equality, and stated that the foundation of free trade is the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement.

In that sense, Prime Minister Abe stated that the rapid progress towards the TPP agreement's entry into force was confirmed during his visit to Vietnam. The achievements of the TPP agreement serve as a pillar for moving towards larger, higher-quality, and more ambitious agreements such as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

According to Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, despite its dynamic development, Asia is facing the challenge of an aging society. Japan wants to contribute its advanced medical techniques, technologies, expertise, and experience to help countries in the Asian region address this future. Therefore, interacting and exchanging ideas with the younger generation who will shape the region's future will be a tremendous driving force for contribution.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe called on countries in the region to unite their strengths to develop a shared future. Japan will continue to play a contributing role in the peace and prosperity of the region.

Responding to a reporter's question about cooperation on maritime safety and freedom of navigation, Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said that based on his meeting with the Vietnamese Government and the wishes of the Vietnamese side, Japan has decided to provide Vietnam with new patrol vessels. At the same time, Japan will continue to support the enhancement of the capacity of the Vietnamese Coast Guard; specifically, to concretize cooperation activities between the maritime law enforcement agencies of the two countries…

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated that, historically, the peoples of Asian countries have enjoyed a rich life through freedom of navigation at sea. Today, the peace and prosperity of the region remain closely linked to the protection, development, and sustainable maintenance of freedom of navigation. Vietnam, Japan, and other countries share a spirit of upholding the rule of law, ensuring freedom of navigation, and resolving disputes through peaceful means. These are fundamental principles, and Japan wants them to become firmly established and unchangeable. With these solid principles, there will be peace and prosperity in the region.

On this occasion, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe answered several questions from the press.

According to Vietnamplus