Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono expressed their delight at the rapid and practical development of Vietnam – Japan extensive strategic partnership over the past years with high political trust during their talks in Tokyo on May 30^th.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono. (Source: VNA)

Both sides stressed the significance of the visit on the occasion of the 45^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and agreed to successfully hold activities celebrating the occasion.

Deputy PM Minh affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to extensive strategic partnership with Japan, and considers Japan the top important and long-term partner.

Speaking highly of Japan’s supply of official development assistance (ODA) to the country, Minh suggested Japan continues joint work in high-quality infrastructure, climate change response, as well as effective and proper use of ODA.

He proposed increasing Japanese investment in Vietnam in potential fields of labour, high-tech agriculture, locality-to-locality cooperation and people-to-people exchange.

Stressing that Japan highly values ties with Vietnam in its policy, Kono noted that Japan will continue assisting Vietnam in economic development via high-quality infrastructure and human resources training projects.

The host expressed wish to further reinforce bilateral ties in perse areas, and facilitate cultural and people-to-people exchange on the occasion of the 45^th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

On regional and global issues, including the East Sea issue, they pledged to offer mutual support at the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation and ASEAN’s related meetings.

Kono lauded Vietnam for successfully holding APEC Year 2017 and thanked its close and active liaison in the negotiations and signing of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

He wished that both sides would accelerate internal procedures to soon realise the deal.

Minh vowed to work closely with Japan in the role of coordinator of ASEAN- Japan ties for 2018-2021 to push forward their practical and effective relations./.

VNF/VNA