The newly-accredited Vietnamese ambassador to Japan, Doan Xuan Hung, emphasized this in a March 2 interview with a reporter about bilateral relations between the two nations as well as advantages and challenges facing him during his term.

Ambassador Hung reviewed the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership that was established after several visits by leaders of the two countries including President Nguyen Minh Triet's trip to Japan in 2007 and visits by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in 2009, permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Truong Tan Sang in 2011 and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in 2009, as well as Vietnam visits by Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito in 2009 and Prime Minister Naoto Kan in 2010.

During these visits, a number of joint statement and high-level agreements were signed, addressing the scope of the strategic partnership, which has seen significant development with cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economics-trade, national defence and security, as well as culture, education-training, science-technology being strengthened, he said.

Japan is now Vietnam’s biggest bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) provider and has committed to providing the Southeast Asian nation with US$1.9 billion in 2011. It is also the biggest foreign investor in Vietnam for capital disbursement.

The diplomat said there is still great potential for developing the bilateral relations for mutual benefit.

Ambassador Hung considered the strong friendship, high level of trust and mutual support between Vietnamese leaders and Japanese friends as advantages that will help him fulfill his assigned tasks.

However, he said expanded cooperation between the two countries’ ministries, agencies, localities and businesses will require great efforts to improve its efficiency.

It is also necessary to keep Japanese businesses and localities updated on Vietnam’s socio-economic situation and help them seek appropriate Vietnamese partners.

As the ambassador to Japan, Mr Hung said he will try his best to boost bilateral cooperation in all fields to contribute to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, industrialization and modernization.

The Vietnamese embassy in Japan will work closely ministries, agencies and businesses in both countries to implement the signed agreements effectively, he said.

•  Ambassador committed to boosting Vietnam-Japan relations