PM holds talks with Japanese counterpart

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (L) and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, Japan, July 1, 2019 - Photo: VGP/Quang Hieu

PM Phuc congratulated Japanese people on their country's great events, including Emperor Naruhito's accession to the Throne and the successful organization of the G20 Summit. 

The Government chief affirmed Viet Nam always regards Japan as a reliable, leading, and long-lasting partner. 

In reply, Japanese PM Abe highly spoke of Viet Nam’s position, role, and diplomatic achievements over the past time. The host leader took the occasion to thank Viet Nam’s positive contribution to the G20 Summit. 

He also praised the over 330,000 overseas Vietnamese community, regarding them as ‘valuable’ assets for the bilateral ties. 

The two sides were pleased to witness the practical developments in the bilateral ties in which they inked a series of documents on such areas as healthcare, education, manpower development, and finance right before the talks. 

They were unanimous in consolidating political trust via maintenance of high-ranking visits and contacts. 

PM Phuc invited his Japanese counterpart to visit Viet Nam and partake in the ASEAN Summit in 2020 when Viet Nam will assume the chairmanship. PM Abe thanked and accepted the invitation. The two sides agreed to boost cooperation in national defense and security within the framework of the the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM ).

In the aspect of economics, trade, and investment, the two PMs hailed the two sides for reaching agreements on the export of Vietnamese litchis and Japanese apples. 

The Vietnamese side suggested Japan early allow Vietnamese longan fruits, star fruits, and passion fruits to enter the country and support Viet Nam to perfect agricultural product quality and develop high-tech farming. 

Meanwhile, the Japanese side proposed Viet Nam import Japanese oranges. 

The two sides agreed to work closely to fruitfully realize Japan-sponsored ODA projects in Viet Nam and promote cooperation in PPP modal. 

Viet Nam affirmed PM Phuc would spare no effort to build a more open, transparent, and favorable investment environment. 

The two leaders welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on a basic legal framework on Tokutei gino program.

They also hailed the signing of an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons and agreed to speed up negotiations for the Judicial assistance agreement on criminal matters.

PM Abe stressed that Japan would back Viet Nam to train staff; better vocational training; raise competitiveness and labor productivity; reform the administration; build e-Government towards digital Government; and respond to climate change. 

The Japanese PM congratulated Viet Nam on its non-permanent membership  on the United Nations Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure with high votes.

The two sides agreed to work with each other at regional and international forums; promote cooperation between ASEAN and the Mekong River region and  Japan in the context that Viet Nam would become the ASEAN Chairmanship in 2020. Both sides also agreed to implement the CPTPP and the RCEP. 

The two leaders took the occasion to discuss international and regional issues of common concerns including the East Sea issue./.

By Kim Loan