Vietnamese, Japanese FMs co-chair ASEAN-Japan ministerial meeting

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu co-chair the ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in virtual format on August 3, 2021

            Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, as coordinator for ASEAN-Japan relations, and Japanese Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu co-chaired the ASEAN-Japan Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Tuesday.

            Foreign Minister Bui affirmed that the ASEAN-Japan partnership has become stronger over the past five decades, turning two sides into trusted friends with mutual support and assistance at difficult moments under the heart-to-heart spirit.

            The Vietnamese diplomat also stressed that Viet Nam will work closely with Thailand, the upcoming coordinator of the ASEAN-Japan Partnership, as well as Japan and other ASEAN members to take the partnership to a new height.

            FM Bui reaffirmed ASEAN's consistent stance on the East Sea issue and asked Japan to support thee bloc's efforts in building the East Sea of peace, stability, cooperation and security that is safe and environmental friendly.

            FM Motegi said that Japan highly values the strategic partnership with ASEAN as well as supports ASEAN's central role. The Japanese FM also affirmed that Japan will continue to assist ASEAN member countries in strengthening their preventive healthcare systems, providing medical supply, medicine, vaccines, vaccine storage system, post-pandemic financial support for economic recovery and ASEAN comprehensive recovery framework.

            During the videoconference, ASEAN foreign ministers welcomed the positive progress in ASEAN-Japan relations, highly valued Japan as the country plays an important role in efforts for promoting regional economy, strengthening technical assistance to countries in the region, contributing to the improvement of life quality for people, narrowing development gap and promoting sustainable development. ASEAN and Japan agreed to continue coordinating in the fight against COVID-19, overcoming impacts and promoting a comprehensive recovery towards sustainable development.

            Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the foreign ministers emphasized the importance of dialogue and trust building, of upholding values and principles for equal and friendly relations, of respecting international law in order to guide relations among nations in the region and minimize potential risks.

            The ministers also agreed on the need for coordination to ensure peace, security and stability in the region, including maritime security and safety in the East Sea.

            Japan reaffirmed its support for ASEAN's central role in promoting dialogue and reconciliation, as well as assisting Myanmar in finding solutions to stabilize the situation.

            At the end of the videoconference, FM Bui transferred the coordinating role to Thai FM Don./.