Vietnam always treasures all-around ties with Japan: President Phuc

VOV.VN - Japan is Vietnam’s extensive strategic partner for peace, and Vietnam always places great importance to the relations across the board.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the statement while receiving former Prime Minister of Japan Suga Yoshihide in Hanoi on January 9, during which Phuc praised Suga for his leadership during his tenure, referring to the successful organisation of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the implementation of policies on digital transformation, green growth, smart society and sustainable development.

The Vietnamese State leader expressed his confidence that bilateral relations will grow more comprehensive in the future.

Phuc also thanked Suga for his sentiments to Vietnam and his contributions to enhancing the bilateral ties in his capacity as Japanese PM in the past and as an advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance at present.

He highly appreciated Suga’s selection of Vietnam for his first trip abroad after he took office in October 2020, and his ongoing visit.

He also thanked Suga for his decision to donate COVID-19 vaccines to Vietnam as relief aid, helping the Southeast Asian nation to overcome the hardest time of the pandemic fight.

In response, the former Japanese PM expressed his hope that Vietnam and Japan will intensify people-to-people exchanges to create a foundation for stronger cooperation in other fields, saying more Japanese localities want to cooperate with their Vietnamese counterparts in specific spheres.

Both nations have joined hands in developing infrastructure projects in Vietnam, including those using official development assistance (ODA), he said, emphasizing that Japanese firms have hailed Vietnam’s efforts in improving its investment environment.

Applauding Vietnam’s commitment to net zero emissions, Suga said Japan wishes to enhance partnerships with Vietnam in clean energy and renewable energy projects.

Japan remains Vietnam’s leading economic partner, biggest ODA supplier, third largest investor and tourism partner, and fourth biggest trade partner, Phuc told his guest.
The host leader said he hoped that Japan will continue strengthening exchanges between people of the two countries, especially young generations, and deepening cooperation between localities.

Collaboration in labour, education, tourism and people-to-people exchanges should be further facilitated, he suggested.
President Phuc called on Suga to continue his support for the bilateral ties, and work to increase high-level meetings between the two Parties, Governments and legislatures.

He suggested Japan help Vietnam in green economy transition and accessing the aid package worth US$10 billion committed by Suga at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) in the UK.

Japan should simplify visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens to contribute to reinforcing people-to-people exchanges, he added.

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