PM Suga Yoshihide expects stronger Japan-Vietnam partnership

Suga Yoshihide, who is also President of the ruling Liberal Democratic Party of Japan, made the statement during phone talks on March 22 with Nguyen Phu Trong, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam and State President.

He expressed his desire to work closely with top Vietnamese leaders to bring the Japan-Vietnam relations to new heights in the lead up to the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2023.

He also said Japan will cooperate closely with Vietnam in COVID-19 prevention and control in the context of the pandemic evolving in a complex manner globally.

On behalf of the Liberal Democratic Party and the Japanese Government, Suga Yoshihide congratulated the Communist Party of Vietnam on its recent successful organization of its 13th national congress, and Nguyen Phu Trong himself on his re-election as the General Secretary of the Party for the 2021-2026 tenure.

He said he believes that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam led by Trong, Vietnam will obtain greater achievements in its ongoing Doi Moi (Renewal) process.

For his part, Party General Secretary and State president Nguyen Phu Trong stressed that the 13th national congress is a great political event of the Party, State and people of Vietnam, which has set out development directions and goals for Vietnam in the next five years with a vision to 2030 and 2045.

Vietnam pursues its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, as well as diversification and multilaterlisation of foreign relations, while proactively integrating into the world, said Trong.

Vietnam is a reliable partner and an active and responsible member of the international community, he noted.  

Speaking highly of the positive development of the Vietnam-Japan relationship and the close bond between the Vietnamese Communist Party and the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan over the years, Trong affirmed Vietnam consistently considers Japan to be the most important, long-term and highly reliable strategic partner.

He proposed that the two sides strengthen exchanges and contact at all levels to further promote bilateral cooperation. He also expressed his wish that Japan will continue to support Vietnam in successfully implementing its socio-economic development strategies and plans endorsed at the recently-concluded national Party congress, while strengthening the connectivity between the two economies.

The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.