Vietnam, Japan agree on cooperation for maritime security

嘎嘣脆

Last Updated: Monday, July 16, 2012 09:40:00


            Japan's Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba (L) shakes hands with his
            Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh after their news conference at
            the Government Guesthouse in Hanoi July 14

      Vietnam and Japan agreed to step up cooperation in defense and maritime
      security during Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Koichiro Gemba's
      visit to Vietnam from July 13-14.
      According to a statement released at a press conference held Saturday by
      Gemba and his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh, the two countries
      agreed that the East Sea plays an important role in regional stability and
      security.
      They discussed solutions to the East Sea disputes based on international
      and regional laws and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the
      Sea.
      Abiding by the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East (South
      China) Sea (DOC) and building a code of conduct (COC) for the parties to
      the disputes will help maintain maritime security and safety, according to
      the statement.
      Minh said Japan agreed to continue its official development assistance for
      Vietnam to become an industrialized country by 2020.
      The two nations have agreed that 2013 will be the Vietnam – Japan
      Friendship Year, when they will also celebrate the 40th anniversary of the
      establishment of bilateral ties.
      Japan hopes for tighter cooperation with Vietnam to help the latter
      country improve its investment environment, Gemba said at the press
      conference in Hanoi.
      According to Deputy Press Secretary Naoko Saiki, Gemba also called on
      Vietnam to reduce corruption, increase transparency and the rule of law as
      measures to strengthen its investment environment.
      “We want to see Vietnam’s investment environment strengthened so it will
      be more attractive and more Japanese companies will come to Vietnam,” she
      said in the briefing.
      In another meeting on Saturday Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received
      Gemba and co-chaired the fourth meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation
      Committee.
      During this meeting, Gemba reaffirmed Japan's support for maintaining
      security and maritime safety in the East Sea and solving disputes through
      peaceful negotiations based on UNCLOS.
      He wrapped up his two-day visit on July 14.
      

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      US neutral on East Sea issues, says Pacific Fleet commander  
      
            Last Updated: Saturday, July 14, 2012 10:40:00


            Admiral Cecil D. Haney, commander of the US Pacific Fleet

      Although the US has significant interests in the East Sea, it is neutral
      on regional disputes, Admiral Cecil D. Haney, commander of the US Pacific
      Fleet, told a press conference in Vietnam Friday.
      Disputes in the East Sea must be solved via peaceful measures and on the
      basis of international laws, he said when asked about recent tensions in
      the region.
      The commander also stressed that the US Navy's increasing  presence in the
      Pacific is never a cause of tension but helps maintain the region’s marine
      security, which plays an important role in the region’s development.
      By increasing its presence with 60 percent of its naval power moved to the
      Pacific, the US also wants to improve cooperation to help regional
      countries handle natural disasters better, he stressed.
      The oceans and seas are too vast and complicated to be protected by one
      country, so multilateral approaches are needed to help related parties
      improve and maintain their cooperation to preserve security, the commander
      said.
      The recent history of the Asia-Pacific showed that socio-economic
      development in regional countries is mainly due to sea stability and
      security, as well as shared interests, Haney said.
      According to a report on Vietnam News Agency, Haney also met with Admiral
      Nguyen Van Hien, commander of the Vietnam People’s Navy, in the northern
      city of Hai Phong that same day .
      At the meeting, Hien said he appreciated the annual exchanges that the US
      Navy and the Vietnam Navy have conducted to date.
      He expressed his hope that Haney would help the continued improvement of
      the countries’ naval and national defense cooperation.
      According to the news agency, the US commander will also meet with leaders
      of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and authorities in the central province
      of Nghe An during his stay.
      The Pacific Partnership 2012 Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Project in
      Nghe An Province is financed by the US Pacific Navy and is providing
      medical and development assistance in the region.
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