VietNamNet Bridge – Japan will continue to support Vietnam’s development through provision of official development assistance (ODA), says Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko.

Yoshihiko made the commitment at a reception for visiting Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Tokyo on July 1.

Yoshihiko told Phuc that he was satisfied with the strong development of the relations between Japan and Vietnam, as well as the result of his previous talks with Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in October 2011 and April 2012.

He thanked Vietnam for its spiritual and material assistance to Japan to overcome the catastrophic consequences of the March 2011 earthquake and tsunamis.

For his part, Phuc appreciated Japan’s provision of ODA at the highest level in its 2011 fiscal year and assured his host that Vietnam will use the aid effectively.

He also acknowledged the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)’s successful role in coordinating Japanese-funded ODA projects in Vietnam.

Phuc said bilateral trade and investment ties are growing and flourishing, with two-way trade hitting a record high of US$21 billion last year, and Japan is now the largest foreign investor in Vietnam.

However, both countries have yet to fully tap their potential, he said.

He expressed his hope that Yoshihiko will encourage Japanese ministries, agencies and companies to boost economic and investment cooperation with Vietnam to realise high-level agreements between the two countries.

He also proposed that Vietnam and Japan strengthen cooperation in judicial reform through visit exchanges to share information and personnel training.

Yoshihiko said he will thoroughly consider Phuc’s proposals, including the transfer of technological advances in agricultural production.

He also voiced his support for Vietnam’s stance toward settling East Sea disputes through peaceful means on the basis on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Yoshihiko and Phuc agreed that both countries will work closely to successfully organise Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year 2013.
Phuc conveyed PM Dung’s invitation to visit Vietnam to Yoshihiko, who said he will consider visiting Vietnam at an appropriate time.

Yoshihiko also said he will send the invitation to visit Vietnam to the Emperor on the occasion of Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year 2013.

In the afternoon, Phuc visited the Vietnamese Embassy and met with representatives of overseas Vietnamese there.

VietNamNet/VOV online