Japan treasures its ties with Vietnam and will continue its cooperation and assistance for Vietnam’s development, Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stated while receiving Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh in Tokyo on May 21.

Both sides expressed their delight at the strong, all-round, and result-oriented developments of the bilateral relationship, especially after it was lifted to an extensive strategic partnership in March 2014.

Ninh, who is on Japan visit to attend the 21st International Conference on The Future of Asia, showed his hope that the two countries continue coordinating closely in implementing high-level economic agreements.

He suggested the Japanese Government maintain its ODA provision at a high level for Vietnam’s sustainable development, and encourage Japanese enterprises to increase investments and technology transfer to Vietnam, particularly in agriculture.

Both agreed to intensify coordination at regional and international forums.

Abe expressed hope for strengthened cooperation between Japan and the Mekong region in the time ahead.

Regarding the East Sea issue, he emphasised the importance of obeying international law, noting that it must be ensured by close cooperation of the international community.

The same day, Deputy PM Ninh met with Hiroshi Sakuma from the Mitsubishi Group, which has a number of projects in automobile assembly and infrastructure in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and is involving in the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant.

He also met with officials from the House of Representatives and the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Association.

Deputy PM talks Asia development at regional conference

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh discussed major trends - including the roles of the ASEAN Community and Vietnam - which are deeply impacting the development of Asia in a speech at the 21 st International Conference on The Future of Asia in Tokyo on May 21.

In his keynote speech to the event, which is themed “Asia Beyond 2015: The Quest for Lasting Peace and Prosperity”, Ninh described Japan as an economic power that is crucial to Asia-Pacific development and the building of the ASEAN Community.

He hailed Japan for tightening cooperation with Southeast Asian countries through the ASEAN-Japan, ASEAN+3 and Mekong – Japan mechanisms as well as the East Asia Summit, the ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meeting (ADMM), the ADMM Plus and the ASEAN Regional Forum. He said these all contribute to building trust, expanding comprehensive development cooperation, and effectively coping with traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

Japan is of special significance to Vietnam as the top investor and trade partner, the Deputy PM said, adding that this bilateral strategic partnership is a manifestation of the deep trust that binds the two economies together in the name of peace, cooperation and common development in the region and beyond.

During the conference, Singaporean Emeritus Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said that Asia is currently under the spotlight of the global economy and that the 21 st century belongs to Asia.

He also discussed regional conflicts, including territorial sovereignty disputes, and said that the countries concerned should deal with these in line with international law, finding common values for peace, stability and prosperity.

The conference, co-hosted by the news group Nikkei and the Japan Centre for Economic Research, was also attended by ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh and leaders from regional countries.

VNA