On May 2, commencing at 0:15 p.m. local time (2:15 p.m. Japan time) for approximately 35 minutes, Ms. TAKAICHI Sanae, Prime Minister of Japan, during her visit to Viet Nam, held a summit meeting with H.E. Mr. To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party and President of Viet Nam, at the Presidential Palace. Following the meeting, Prime Minister TAKAICHI attended a luncheon hosted by General Secretary and President To Lam.
- At the outset, General Secretary and President To Lam welcomed Prime Minister TAKAICHI’s visit to Viet Nam and expressed his high appreciation for the robust development of Japan-Vietnam relations under the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.” He also stated his intention to further deepen cooperation across a wide range of fields, including economic, security, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges, based on political trust.
- In response, Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated that she was pleased to meet in Hanoi following their telephone meeting in April. She also stated her intention to further strengthen the “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” and to work closely together toward the realization and updates of a “Free and Open Indo-Pacific (FOIP)” in order to make the region stronger and more prosperous.
The two leaders concurred on advancing cooperation in economic security as new priority areas of Japan-Vietnam cooperation, such as energy, critical minerals, AI, semiconductors, and space.
On energy, the two leaders reaffirmed their intention to deepen various cooperation under the “POWERR Asia,” which was launched in Asia Zero-Emission Community (AZEC) Plus online Summit. They concurred on proceeding with support through NEXI for crude oil procecurement for Nghi Son Refinery & Petrochemical Complex as the first project of POWERR Asia, in order to maintain production and supply chains of important materials.
On critical minerals, the two leaders concurred on cooperating toward strengthening supply chains including rare earth in Viet Nam.
Prime Minister TAKAICHI called for the resolution of challenges faced by Japanese companies, while noting the importance of improving the investment and economic cooperation environment in Viet Nam.
- In the field of security, the two leaders welcomed progress in bilateral consultations and exchanges. Furthermore, they concurred on further advancing security cooperation and support for strengthening maritime law enforcement capabilities for the peace and stability of the region.
- With regard to people-to-people exchanges, the two leaders, noting the active exchanges between the two countries, concurred on strengthening cooperation in the consular field.
- The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues and concurred on continuing close coordination on key issues in the Indo-Pacific, such as the situation in the South China Sea and issues regarding North Korea including its nuclear and missile issues as well as abductions issue.
- Prime Minister TAKAICHI stated her intention to invite General Secretary and President To Lam to Japan this year, and the two leaders concurred on coordinating the timing of the visit at an appropriate time this year.
- Following the meeting, General Secretary and President To Lam hosted the luncheon, and the leaders held talks in a cordial atmosphere.