VietNamNet Bridge - Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida on Saturday visited the Thang Long Imperial Citadel after a busy day in Vietnam.

Mr. Fumio Kishida arrived in Hanoi on 31/7 for a three-day visit to Vietnam. The visit took place at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh.

In the talks with Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh, Mr. Kishida said that Tokyo will provide six ships and equipment under the non-refundable aid package worth 500 million yen, or $4.9 million for Vietnam.

Among the six ships, there are two patrol boats of the Japanese Fisheries Agency and four commercial fishing vessels with tonnage of 600-800 tons. These ships can be improved into offshore patrol vessels.

After the talks, the two top diplomats of the two countries chaired the meeting of the Vietnam – Japan cooperation committee. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in various fields, as well as on issues of regional and international issues. Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh affirmed that Vietnam considers Japan one of the most important strategic partners. Mr. Kishida emphasized Japan's determination to boost strategic partnership with Vietnam.

The same day, Mr. Kishida met with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at the Government Office. He said Japan welcomed Vietnam in ensuring peace and stability in the region and reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to maintaining peace, stability, freedom, security, maritime safety in the South China Sea (East Sea).

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung thanked Japan for providing six patrol ships to Vietnam, to help strengthen the capacity of the law enforcement force at sea, and wish to continue to receive the support and assistance of Japan in Vietnam’s development process in general, including ODA.  

Mr. Kishida visits the Thang Long Imperial Citadel with his Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Hiroshi Fukada (second from right) and Mr. Tran Viet Anh, deputy director of the Center for Conservation of Thang Long-Ha Noi Heritage (white shirt).

He listens attentively to the guide’s introduction of artifacts on display in the Citadel.

The delegation take photographs at the relic site. On Sunday, Mr. Kishida paid a visit to the Lang - Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park before ending his visit to Vietnam.

Some pictures of the Japanese Foreign Minister at the Thang Long Royal Citadel. Photos: Le Anh Dung

VNE/VNN