VNHNO - Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on September 11 said he is happy at the rapid, practical and comprehensive development of the Vietnam – Japan relations, stressing that the pushing up of the recent exchanges of high-level delegations has helped strengthen bilateral trust.
The Government leader made the statement when he received Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono who paid him a courtesy visit while here to attend the World Economic Forum on ASEAN (WEF ASEAN) 2018 in Hanoi and to co-chair the 10th session of the Vietnam – Japan Cooperation Committee.
At the reception, PM Phuc also expressed his hope for strengthened ASEAN – Japan and Mekong – Japan cooperation, especially when Vietnam shoulders the role of the coordinator of the ASEAN – Japan relations in the 2018-2021 period. He also spoke highly of Japan’s provision of official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam in the recent past and affirmed that the Vietnamese Government highly values and strives to effectively implement the ODA projects.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) shakes hands with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono. Photo: NDO/Tran Hai
The PM asked the Japanese top diplomat to accelerate the economic linkage between the two countries, especially in the fields of great potential, and spoke highly of the significant activities to mark the 45th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations which, he said, make important contributions to the strengthening of the trust and intensifying of the people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
For his part, Foreign Minister Kono expressed his desire to contribute to the success of the WEF ASEAN 2018 and the further pushing up of the Vietnam – Japan relations and cooperation. He affirmed that Japan highly values the proactive role and active contributions by Vietnam in international and regional issues, and asked for close coordination from Vietnam for the success of the coming Mekong – Japan summit.
The Japanese top diplomat reiterated that Japan will share with Vietnam experiences in building an e-government and support the viewpoint of Vietnam and other ASEAN countries in the East Sea issues when Vietnam takes the role of the coordinator of the ASEAN – Japan relations from 2018./.
