Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae and Vietnamese leader To Lam have agreed to strengthen security cooperation and work together to reinforce supply chains for critical minerals and advance cooperation on nuclear energy.
During talks in Tokyo on Monday, Takaichi and To Lam, who serves as both Vietnam’s president and general secretary of the Communist Party, agreed that their countries should work closely together on security issues to uphold and strengthen a free and open international order based on the rule of law.
The two leaders confirmed that Japan will move ahead as soon as possible with plans to provide Vietnam with equipment for peacekeeping operations. They also agreed to accelerate public-private cooperation on critical minerals and promote collaboration in the field of nuclear energy.
Takaichi said she stressed the importance of addressing North Korea’s nuclear and missile programs, as well as the issue of abductions by North Korea. She added that the joint statement issued after the summit would elevate bilateral ties to a new level and said she was confident relations would continue to deepen following To Lam’s visit.
In a speech to Japan’s Diet before the summit, To Lam noted that Japan is the largest provider of official development assistance to Vietnam and that two-way trade exceeded 50 billion dollars for the first time last year.
He said Vietnam is ready to pioneer a new path of development alongside Japan and aims to become a high-income developed nation by 2045.
To Lam also described science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as key drivers of the country’s next stage of development, adding that Japan is an extremely important partner.
Source: www3.nhk.or.jp
