Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received President of the Japan-Mekong Parliamentary Friendship Association Ryu Shionoya in Hanoi on July 27, asking him to encourage Japan to enhance ties with Vietnam, thereby helping the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries to develop sustainably. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives President of the Japan-Mekong Parliamentary Friendship Association Ryu Shionoya in Hanoi on July 27

Welcoming his guest’s working trip to Vietnam, PM Phuc said that the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan are developing strongly and substantively in all aspects, including the growing political trust between their leaders.

He also spoke highly of Japan’s role in stepping up cooperation activities within the framework of the GMS.

Shionoya shared the PM’s view on the comprehensive and strong expansion of Vietnam-Japan relations.

He emphasised the importance of Japan-Mekong cooperation, affirming that his country is ready to cooperate with GMS nations for the sake of common interest and prosperity. He added that Japan will host the upcoming Mekong-Japan Summit, which will help boost sustainable development in the region and across the world.

Approximately 1,700 Japanese businesses are currently investing in various fields in Vietnam, including infrastructure, energy, and education, he said, voicing his hope that the two sides will enhance all-round cooperation so as to promote sustainable development in Vietnam, especially in trade and investment.

Regarding the Vietnam-Japan University project, Shionoya asked PM Phuc to pay special attention to this project, including assigning relevant agencies to create more optimal conditions. He also called for more labour cooperation projects, including sending Vietnamese orderlies and caregivers to work in his country.

On this occasion, he thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for supporting Japan in addressing the impact of recent floods.

At the meeting, PM Phuc sent sympathies to the Japanese Government and people on the recent consecutive natural disasters. He stressed that the two countries not only share joy in development achievements, but are also ready to assist each other to deal with any difficulties and challenges that arise.

The host asked Japan to intensify bilateral affiliation in developing infrastructure, industries, and value chains; training human resources; protecting the environment; managing and sustainably using the Mekong River’s water resources; and coping with natural disasters and epidemics. 

He hopes that these partnerships will help the GMS countries to develop sustainably, narrow the development gap, and strengthen connectivity both within the GMS and between the GMS and other regions around the world.

The Vietnamese leader also appreciated the contributions by Shionoya and the Japan-Mekong Parliamentary Friendship Association towards increasing people-to-people exchange between the GMS countries and Japan over the past years.

He promised to provide more favourable conditions for the Vietnam-Japan University project so as to improve bilateral cooperation in education and training, thus helping to deepen mutual understanding between the two countries’ people. –VNA