Vietnam, Japan strengthen strategic partnership
(VOV) - Japan is one of Vietnam’s top economic partners and the first country in the Group of Seven (G7) to recognize Vietnam’s market economy status.
Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is paying an official two-day visit to Vietnam, starting on January 16 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung.
This is the first overseas trip by Shinzo Abe after being elected as Japanese PM and the second visit to Vietnam in his capacity as PM following his visit in 2006.
Japan is Vietnam’s biggest ODA donor, number one investor and third largest trade partner. The two countries are working on devising an industrialization strategy for Vietnam under the Vietnam-Japan cooperation framework through 2020 with a vision for 2030.
Shinzo Abe’s visit is capturing the attention of people from both countries as it meets their wish to deepen the fine relationship and enhance the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.
Japanese ambassador to Vietnam Yasuaki Tanizaki said Abe has selected Vietnam- an important country in Japan’s external and economic policy- as the first destination for his Asian trip.
Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership was established in 2006 by Prime Ministers Nguyen Tan Dung and Shinzo Abe as signatories.
The Japanese PM’s visit aims to improve bilateral ties in line with the new situation, adding fresh impetus to boosting future cooperation, Tanizaki said.
Regarding the Vietnam-Japan cooperation plan to enhance the strategic partnership in the coming time, the Japanese diplomat said Japan-Vietnam relationship is based on mutual economic interests. Japan is willing to help Vietnam achieve its national industrialization target by 2020 and get more ODA funding and direct investment from Japanese businesses.
Tanizaki said the two countries’ leaders have agreed to observe 2013 as the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year which will see a host of diverse cultural activities to promote people-to-people exchanges.
Vietnamese ambassador to Japan Doan Xuan Hung affirmed that Abe’s visit will strengthen the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership and boost bilateral cooperation in politics, national security and defense, economics, trade and investment.
On the occasion, the two PMs are expected to announce the launch of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year 2013 and the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries.