Tokyo [Japan], November 30: On the afternoon of November 29 (local time), President Vo Van Thuong gave a speech at the Japanese National Assembly, this is the oldest legislative body in Asia, where many important legislative decisions for progress are made. Japan's development over the past 135 years.
The two countries have many similarities
The President expressed his honor and affirmed that this is a special affection that Japan has for Vietnam, represented by the President at a very meaningful time - the 50th anniversary of establishing foreign relations. (1973 - 2023) between the two countries.
The President shared his story. When he was young, the President had the opportunity to visit Japan in an exchange program to meet Vietnamese and Japanese youth. Even though he is in a new position, the President still retains the good memories of nearly 30 years ago. At the same time, there is a deeper sense of the land of the rising sun developing wealth and strength, with an increasingly high position in the international arena.
The President also emphasized that Japan has always been a trusted partner and close friend, always supporting and helping Vietnam on the path of national construction and development, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity. prosperity in the region and the world.
The President said the two peoples have a long-standing historical relationship dating back more than 1,000 years ago, when Vietnamese monk Phat Triet came to Nara province (Japan) to attend a dharma conference to open the eyes of the great Buddha statue in the 19th century. 8, opening the history of exchanges on Buddhism and court music between the two countries.
Scholar Phan Boi Chau has identified Vietnam and Japan as two countries with "the same culture, the same race, and the same continent". Although not close geographically, the two countries have many similarities and connections in culture, history, and people. This similarity and the tradition of strong exchanges between the two peoples for thousands of years have been the glue that binds the friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples.
"If I use a very general, concise and emotional sentence about the relationship between our two countries, I would say it is a destiny destined by heaven," the President emphasized.
Sincere friends, trustworthy partners
The President conveyed a message to all leaders, members of the National Assembly and the majority of Japanese people about an open, innovative country that loves peace and aspires to development. Vietnam has an independent, self-reliant, diversified, multilateral foreign policy, is a friend, a trusted partner, and a responsible member of the international community. The President affirmed that Vietnam admires the socio-economic reform and development policy that has helped Japan become an economic power, with an important international role and position in the region and the world.
"The achievements of the land of the rising sun are a source of great encouragement, useful experience, and great motivation for Vietnam," the President emphasized in his speech.
Looking back on the 50 years of relations between the two countries, the President said Japan is Vietnam's leading economic partner, the second largest partner in labor cooperation, the third in investment and tourism, Wednesday on trade. Defense and security cooperation is increasingly developing in real terms and in depth. Vietnam has been effectively using Japanese ODA capital for socio-economic development.
"We cannot forget that, during Vietnam's most difficult time, Japan was one of the first developed countries to normalize relations and decided to resume ODA for Vietnam. And up to now, ODA Japan still plays a very important role in Vietnam's development," the President affirmed .
Regarding the upcoming direction of the Vietnam - Japan relationship, according to the President, upgrading the two countries' relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world allows the two countries to upgrade their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world. scope and expand the space of cooperation, not only in bilateral relations but also on regional and global issues; not only in traditional fields but also in new areas of cooperation.
"This is true to the spirit of Vietnam and Japan accompanying, looking towards the future, reaching out to the world," the President affirmed.
The President said that Vietnam - Japan need to deploy a new relationship framework with new thinking, new directions, new ways of doing things, with 6 enhancements, including: political trust; links between the two economies; cooperation on defense and security; local cooperation; cooperation in new fields and cooperation and coordination in multilateral and regional forums.
"Together, we are determined to build a relationship between our two countries that is truly sincere friends, reliable partners, strategic cooperation, and a sustainable future," the President affirmed.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper