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▼ Japan And Vietnam Underscore Opposition To Use Of Force Amid Ukraine War
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Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and his Vietnamese counterpart, Pham Minh Chinh, agreed on Sunday on the importance of respecting the sovereignty of states while warning against the use of weapons of mass destruction as the war in Ukraine continues.
In a meeting held in Hanoi on the second leg of Kishida's eight-day tour of Southeast Asia and Europe, the two leaders also confirmed their commitment to closer bilateral cooperation in the security and economic fields.
"We confirmed that countries must abide by the principle of respecting the independence and the sovereignty of states," Kishida said in a joint news conference after the talks, adding, "In any region, changing the status quo by force is not permissible."
Kishida said the two sides agreed on the importance of an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine and the provision of humanitarian aid, adding that they "strongly oppose threats and uses of weapons of mass destruction and attacks on civilians."
During the joint news conference, Chinh announced Vietnam would provide $500,000 (¥65 million) in humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, the first such aid by Vietnam.
Kishida hailed the move, telling reporters after the news conference that he sees it as "a positive step" that the Vietnamese prime minister made the announcement during his visit.
In the run-up to Kishida's visit, the focus was on whether the two could agree to work together over Russia's aggression. Japan is stepping up sanctions on Moscow in coordination with other Group of Seven nations, but Vietnam is known for its ties with Moscow going back to the Soviet era.
Hanoi abstained from a U.N. vote in March on a resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The two leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation to boost Vietnam's maritime security. They also agreed to have the Self-Defense Forces help the Southeast Asian country strengthen its cybersecurity.
Kishida said the two leaders agreed to strongly oppose attempts to change the status quo in the South China Sea at a time when the region faces an increasingly assertive China.
"I am convinced that we can join hands with Vietnam for the peace and stability of the region and the world," Kishida said as he attended a dinner hosted by Chinh on Saturday after arriving in the country.
Kishida has repeatedly said Russia's invasion has shaken the foundation of the international order and said before heading for Indonesia on Friday that his trip, also covering Thailand, Italy and Britain, is aimed at building peace.
Kishida last held a meeting with Chinh in Japan in November, after Kishida became prime minister the previous month.
During his visit to Indonesia on Friday, Kishida and Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo confirmed they will strengthen cooperation in various fields.
In the run-up to Kishida's visit, the focus was on whether the two could agree to work together over Russia's aggression. Japan is stepping up sanctions on Moscow in coordination with other Group of Seven nations, but Vietnam is known for its ties with Moscow going back to the Soviet era.
Hanoi abstained from a U.N. vote in March on a resolution condemning Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
The two leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation to boost Vietnam's maritime security. They also agreed to have the Self-Defense Forces help the Southeast Asian country strengthen its cybersecurity.
Kishida said the two leaders agreed to strongly oppose attempts to change the status quo in the South China Sea at a time when the region faces an increasingly assertive China.
"I am convinced that we can join hands with Vietnam for the peace and stability of the region and the world," Kishida said as he attended a dinner hosted by Chinh on Saturday after arriving in the country.
Kishida has repeatedly said Russia's invasion has shaken the foundation of the international order and said before heading for Indonesia on Friday that his trip, also covering Thailand, Italy and Britain, is aimed at building peace.
Kishida last held a meeting with Chinh in Japan in November, after Kishida became prime minister the previous month.
During his visit to Indonesia on Friday, Kishida and Indonesian President Joko "Jokowi" Widodo confirmed they will strengthen cooperation in various fields.
Jokowi said Indonesia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations stand ready to build cooperation with their partners, and Kishida underscored the importance of upholding the rules-based international order.
"We are facing many challenges, including the situations in Ukraine, the East and South China seas and North Korea, and maintaining and strengthening the rules-based, free and open international order has become more important," Kishida said during a joint news conference with Jokowi after the summit.
Kishida said that based on such understanding, the two sides confirmed they will strengthen cooperation toward realizing a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," an initiative that Japan has been pushing, and the ASEAN Outlook spearheaded by Indonesia.
"We are facing many challenges, including the situations in Ukraine, the East and South China seas and North Korea, and maintaining and strengthening the rules-based, free and open international order has become more important," Kishida said during a joint news conference with Jokowi after the summit.
Kishida said that based on such understanding, the two sides confirmed they will strengthen cooperation toward realizing a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific," an initiative that Japan has been pushing, and the ASEAN Outlook spearheaded by Indonesia.
Japan views Indonesia, this year's host of the Group of 20 summit to be held in November and a key economy in Southeast Asia, as a strategic partner sharing universal values such as democracy and the rule of law. Russia and China are members of the G20.
The two sides also agreed the war in Ukraine must be ended through dialogue and to work together to deal with the economic and humanitarian impacts of the war.
Indonesia has been supportive of Ukraine but has not imposed sanctions on Russia over the invasion.
Indonesia said the same day Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his intention to attend the G20 summit, and that Jakarta has invited Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the meeting.
Kishida also said Jokowi has given him a "positive response" regarding lifting Indonesia's import restrictions on Japanese food products imposed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.
He said Jokowi will be invited to Japan when it hosts a special summit next year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN exchanges.
In Europe, Kishida is expected to discuss with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and British leader Boris Johnson how to respond to Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine and support people who have fled the war-torn country.
Kishida is planning to visit the Vatican during the trip and hold talks with Pope Francis, a Japanese government source said. It would be the first meeting in eight years between a Japanese prime minister and the pope.
Through the meeting, Kishida, who seeks a world free of nuclear weapons, aims to confirm the Vatican's support and deliver a message of peace at a time when Putin has suggested using nuclear weapons amid the war in Ukraine.
While the coronavirus pandemic has restricted in-person meetings, Kishida, who took office in October, has been increasing face-to-face diplomacy after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February.
The latest overseas trip follows his visit in late March to India and Cambodia as well as a visit to Belgium, where he and other leaders of the G7 vowed to keep a close watch on any attempts to help Russia evade sanctions, in a possible warning to countries such as China that may seek to aid Moscow.
The two sides also agreed the war in Ukraine must be ended through dialogue and to work together to deal with the economic and humanitarian impacts of the war.
Indonesia has been supportive of Ukraine but has not imposed sanctions on Russia over the invasion.
Indonesia said the same day Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed his intention to attend the G20 summit, and that Jakarta has invited Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the meeting.
Kishida also said Jokowi has given him a "positive response" regarding lifting Indonesia's import restrictions on Japanese food products imposed after the 2011 Fukushima nuclear crisis.
He said Jokowi will be invited to Japan when it hosts a special summit next year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Japan-ASEAN exchanges.
In Europe, Kishida is expected to discuss with Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi and British leader Boris Johnson how to respond to Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine and support people who have fled the war-torn country.
Kishida is planning to visit the Vatican during the trip and hold talks with Pope Francis, a Japanese government source said. It would be the first meeting in eight years between a Japanese prime minister and the pope.
Through the meeting, Kishida, who seeks a world free of nuclear weapons, aims to confirm the Vatican's support and deliver a message of peace at a time when Putin has suggested using nuclear weapons amid the war in Ukraine.
While the coronavirus pandemic has restricted in-person meetings, Kishida, who took office in October, has been increasing face-to-face diplomacy after Russia invaded Ukraine in late February.
The latest overseas trip follows his visit in late March to India and Cambodia as well as a visit to Belgium, where he and other leaders of the G7 vowed to keep a close watch on any attempts to help Russia evade sanctions, in a possible warning to countries such as China that may seek to aid Moscow.
- May 1, 2022
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