Full text of President Vo Van Thuong's speech at the Japanese National Assembly

President Vo Van Thuong speaks at the Japanese National Assembly

Konichiwa

Dear Speaker of the House of Representatives Nukaga Fukushiro,

Dear Senate President Otsuji Hidehisa,

Dear Members of the Japanese National Assembly,

I would like to thank you for giving me the honor of speaking at the Japanese National Assembly - the oldest legislative body in Asia, where many important legislative decisions for Japan's development process are made. Edition in the past 135 years. This is a special sentiment that you have for the Vietnamese people, the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation that I represent at a very meaningful time - the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations ( 1973-2023) between our two countries.

On behalf of the State and People of Vietnam and with personal feelings, I would like to send to the Members of the National Assembly and the People of Japan the most respectful and warmest greetings. Sincerely thank you for the respectful and cordial welcome given to me and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since I was young, I had the opportunity to visit the country in an exchange program to meet Vietnamese and Japanese youth. Those visits, meeting Japanese young people, and living with Japanese families left me with good memories and impressions of the hospitable and friendly Japanese people; The country of Japan is as beautiful as cherry blossoms, the Japanese soul is peaceful and profound like Haiku poems, the Japanese spirit is resilient and noble like Samurai warriors, the Japanese will is steadfast and steadfast. golden like Mount Fuji.

Until today, during this visit to Japan, even though I am in a new position, I still keep the good memories of nearly 30 years ago when I visited Japan. At the same time, there is a deeper sense of the Land of the Rising Sun's growing prosperity and increasingly high position in the international arena; 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 in the region and the world. gender.

In today's meaningful meeting, I would like to share with you some basic content about the relationship between our two countries; vision of the future and position of that relationship for the two peoples, as well as for peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

1- MOh good fate Between hai dVietnam - Japan clan

Our two countries and two peoples have a long-standing historical relationship dating back more than 1000 years. It started with people-to-people exchanges, leading to political, diplomatic and economic cooperation. According to historical research, from the 8th century, Vietnamese monk Phat Triet came to Na-ra province to attend the dharma conference to open the eyes of the great Buddha statue, opening the history of exchanges on Buddhism and Royal Court music. between two countries. By the 16th century, Japanese seal ships came to Vietnam to trade and do business, creating streets and bridges imbued with Japanese architecture, which are still preserved in Hoi An. That is the relationship between princess Ngoc Hoa and businessman Araki Sotaro; is the beautiful friendship between patriotic scholar Phan Boi Chau and doctor Asaba Sakitaro

Vietnam and Japan have the same wet rice civilization and have had to overcome harsh challenges of nature and devastating war. From there, we have trained people with the qualities of resilience, indomitableness, diligence, dynamism, creativity, appreciating the values ​​of community and family harmony, loyalty, gratitude, and respect. ancestors, being filial to parents, always aiming for the values ​​of truth - goodness - beauty to perfect personality.

Vietnamese 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. The similarities in culture, history, people 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 were to use a very general, concise and emotional sentence about the relationship between our two countries, I would say it is: "Fate is determined by heaven".

Ladies and Gentlemen,

2. Vietnam: Qpast, now and future

Our country had to go through long years of war to defend the Fatherland to preserve the integrity of the country, to gain the right to life, the right to freedom and the right to pursue happiness. The strength for the Vietnamese people to overcome all difficulties to build and defend the country is the spirit of great righteousness and kindness of a nation that always loves peace, filial piety, friendship and respect for other nations. .

In a world of many changes, from the traditions and philosophies of our nation, from international experience, Vietnam determines and consistently implements its foreign policy: Independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship. consultation, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralization of foreign relations; proactively and actively integrate comprehensively and deeply; a friend, a trusted partner and an active, responsible member of the international community. During that process, we determined that relations with neighboring countries are a top priority, relations with major countries and comprehensive strategic partners have strategic significance, relations with strategic partners are of strategic significance. strategic partners, comprehensive partners, a number of other partners that are very important and value relationships with traditional partners. Along with that, we implement the "four no's" defense policy: Not participating in military alliances; Do not associate with one country to fight another country; Do not allow foreign countries to set up military bases or use territory to fight other countries; Do not use force or threaten to use force in international relations.

If in the past, Vietnam was known as a country with war and underdevelopment, today, after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi - Vietnam has become a country of peace, friendship, cooperation and development. . We rank 35th in the world in terms of GDP, 5th in Asia and 20th in the world in attracting FDI and trade exchange. Vietnam has participated in 16 bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs) and multilateral. The poverty rate according to United Nations standards will decrease from over 50% (in 1986) to 4,3% (in 2022). Political stability, national defense and security are consolidated and strengthened. Institutional reform, infrastructure development and human resource building have been promoted. Judicial reform, improving the effectiveness and efficiency of law enforcement, and preventing corruption have achieved many important results. Vietnam currently has diplomatic relations with 193 countries, including strategic partnerships or comprehensive partnerships with 30 countries; is a member of 70 regional and global organizations.

We are striving to achieve the goal that by 2030, Vietnam will be a developed country, with a modern industry and high average income; By 2045, it will become a developed, high-income country. To make that goal a reality, we value the role of the people with all human and civil rights at the heart of future policies and planning. At the same time, we must try harder to overcome the difficulties and limitations that are hindering the country's development process.

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 and useful experience,Ah motivation big for Vietnam.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

3. Looking back at 50 years of Vietnam - Japan relations

Over the past 50 years, Vietnam and Japan have taken steady steps together in building a strong relationship between the two peoples. Since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1973 and successively established the relationship framework from "Trusted, long-term stable partnership" (2002) to "Vietnam - Japan strategic partnership" "For Peace and Prosperity in Asia" (2009), upgraded to "Vietnam - Japan Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia" (2014), until today. Nowadays, cooperation in politics, economics, culture, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries is constantly expanding, contributing to enhancing the framework and content of the relationship, and strongly promoting comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. .

Japan is Vietnam's leading economic partner, the second largest partner in labor cooperation, the third in investment and tourism, and the fourth in trade. Defense and security cooperation is increasingly developing in real terms and in depth. There are currently about 520 thousand Vietnamese people living, working and studying in Japan; About 22 thousand Japanese people are living and working in Vietnam; Nearly 100 local pairs have established friendly and cooperative relations. This is an important bridge to strengthen relations between Vietnam and Japan.

We have been effectively using Japanese ODA capital for Vietnam's 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, Japan's ODA still plays a very important role in Vietnam's development.

In addition, the deep relationship between the leaders of the two countries, painstakingly built and nurtured over many generations, has been a valuable asset in Vietnam - Japan relations. Even in the Japanese National Assembly, one-third of parliamentarians are members of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance. You are an important bridge in the relationship between the two countries. I have been fortunate to meet and connect with many people in different positions. In particular, the visit of 1.000 delegates led by Mr. Nikai Toshihiro, Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance to Vietnam in 2020, is a rare event in the diplomatic history of the two countries.

It can be affirmed that the achievements in Vietnam-Japan relations over the past 50 years are a solid foundation for the two peoples to confidently move together into the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

4. The future of Vietnam-Japan relations.

Vietnam and Japan have many advantages and strategic interests that complement each other. We have profound similarities in culture and people. We have created real and effective economic, trade and investment development achievements. We have strong political determination and the common desire of the two peoples for peace, stability, a prosperous and happy life.

Two days ago, Mr. Prime Minister Kishida Fumio and I issued a Joint Statement upgrading our two countries' relations to Comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world. This is an important event, opening a new chapter in the Vietnam-Japan relationship, developing it substantially, comprehensively, effectively, closely linked, meeting the interests of both sides, contributing to peace and stability. determination, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The new relationship framework allows us to raise the level and expand the space for 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 such as responding to climate change, clean energy, digital transformation, green FDI, green finance, new generation ODA, true to the spirit Vietnam and Japan work together, looking towards the future and reaching out to the world.

Based on the proud achievements we have achieved, looking towards a future with many opportunities and challenges, we need to deploy a new relationship framework with new thinking, new directions, new ways of doing things. . According to me yes 6 enhancement or:

One is, increase further political trust, exchange of high-level delegations and all levels, creating a solid foundation for relations between the two countries in all fields including on Party, Government, National Assembly channels, and exchanges between parliaments. Senators and National Assembly representatives of the two countries.

Secondly, increase linking the two economies of Vietnam - Japan, identifying economic cooperation as a central pillar. We expect Japan to support Vietnam in successfully implementing industrialization and modernization. We commit that Vietnam will be an attractive destination for Japanese businesses, contributing to diversifying the supply chain and production chain, and providing important human resources for Japan's development.

Third, increase cooperation on defense and security on the basis of the Joint Vision Statement on Vietnam - Japan defense cooperation towards the next decade. In particular, focusing on cooperation in the field of maritime security, information sharing, and peacekeeping by the United Nations; Expand cooperation to respond to non-traditional security challenges.

Four is, increase further local cooperation, education - training, culture, tourism, labor and people-to-people exchanges. Create conditions for citizens of the two countries to integrate more deeply into each other's social life. These are extremely important factors to promote understanding and trust between the two peoples.

Year is, increase cooperate in new fields. We expect Japan to become an investor and strategic partner of Vietnam in the field of clean, renewable energy and climate change adaptation. We hope that Japan will support Vietnam with specific cooperation projects under the Asian Energy Transition Initiative (AETI) and the Asian Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) Initiative.

Six is, increase Cooperate and coordinate on multilateral and regional forums. The future of Vietnam and Japan is tied to regional and global peace, stability and development. In the context of many conflicts and local wars in the region and the world, we see the sacred value of peace even more. Our two countries both have a responsibility to work with the international community to promote dialogue, prevent conflicts, prevent war, and resolve disputes by peaceful means, in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations. United Nations.

In that spirit, Vietnam supports Japan to play a more important and active role in maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the world in general, and in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean in particular. . We believe that the two countries will together contribute to building a sustainable and inclusive regional structure with ASEAN playing a central role, promoting the effectiveness of ASEAN-led mechanisms, strengthening multilateralism, and promoting uphold the United Nations Charter and international law. At the same time, effectively take advantage of the development achievements of science and technology and innovation for sustainable, green and inclusive development.

We together determined to build a relationship between the two countries that is truly: "Sincere friends, reliable partners, strategic cooperation, sustainable future".

Ladies and Gentlemen,

5. Our two countries have had to go through many historical upheavals, but have resiliently overcome ups and downs together, shared difficult times, and become more and more intimate, close and growing. strive to strive for a better future for the two nations.

President Ho Chi Minh said: "Whatever is beneficial to the people must be done with all our might." Emperor Meiji had a saying: "Only thinking that benefits the people will forever endure in our society." Therefore, upgrading bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is to meet the aspirations and serve practical, specific benefits for more than 200 million people of our two countries.

On this occasion, I would like to sincerely thank the National Assembly and the Japanese people for always caring and supporting Vietnam over the past years. We hope that the Japanese National Assembly, on the foundation of a strong country and a resilient people, will continue to contribute to the increasingly prosperous and sustainable development of the Vietnam-Japan relationship.

Vietnam deeply believes that, with the enthusiastic support of the King and Queen, and the important decisions of the National Assembly, the governance of the Government and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio - the Japanese People will continue. achieve even greater successes, worthy of being a great power in Asia and the world.

Wishing the people and country of Japan prosperity and happiness.

Wishing the friendly and cooperative relationship between Vietnam - Japan and the National Assembly of the two countries to develop strongly, for the benefit of the two peoples, for peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world.

Wishing you good health, happiness and success.

Thank you very much.

Arigatou Gozaimasu.