Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung held meetings with his Chinese and Japanese counterparts in the Italian city of Milan on October 16 on the sidelines of the 10th Asian-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit.

PM Dung and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang (L) meet on the sidelines of the ASEM 10 in Milan.

In his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, PM Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed that Vietnam always treasures its traditional friendship with China and wishes to foster the two countries’ comprehensive cooperation in a healthy and stable manner.

He suggested both sides maintain high-level visits and meetings to improve trust and establish mutually beneficial collaboration in all fields, adding that they should settle issues arising in their relations properly and organise the 7th meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation as soon as possible.

The leaders agreed to implement three working groups on cooperation on infrastructure, construction and currency, and discuss their affiliation for joint development at sea within the framework of governmental delegations on border and territorial matters.

Regarding the East Sea issue, PM Nguyen Tan Dung emphasised his request for both sides to maintain control of the maritime situation, avoid actions that escalate the situation, foster negotiation mechanisms, seriously implement the agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between the two countries, respect international law, and jointly maintain regional and international peace and stability.

On his part, Premier Li Keqiang said China continuously upholds the friendly neighbourliness and mutually beneficial cooperation with Vietnam, adding that his country wants to solve matters arising in bilateral relations satisfactorily so as to strengthen bilateral ties in a healthy and stable manner.

PM Dung and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe (R).

He also responded positively to his Vietnamese counterpart’s proposals to bolster relations between the two Parties and States in the near future.

In a separate meeting, the Vietnamese leader and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe exchanged their opinions on measures to deepen the two countries’ extensive strategic partnership, which was established in March 2014, while agreeing on the importance of regular high-level visits.

The Japanese PM said his country will continue to support Vietnam’s socio-economic development by providing official development assistance at a high level and helping to improve the capacity of law-enforcement forces at sea.

Both sides agreed to continue to work closely to implement key economic cooperation projects, boost agricultural collaboration, and develop support industries in Vietnam.

PM Dung pledged the best possible conditions for Japanese firms to invest in his country, including the effective realisation of the joint initiative on improving Vietnam’s investment climate.

The leaders exchanged their views on regional and international issues of mutual concern and agreed to further cooperate at multilateral forums, especially those relating to peace, stability, and maritime security, safety and freedom in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

They also agreed to actively contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

VNA/VNN