The then-Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Japanese counterpart Abe Shinzo at a press briefing in Tokyo, Japan, following their official talks on October 8, 2018.

The attendance of the Vietnamese Head of State at the funeral shows recognition of the former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's contributions to promoting the two countries' relations, affirming the importance of the extensive strategic partnership between Việt Nam and Japan, spokesperson for the foreign ministry Lê Thị Thu Hằng said.

During his time in office, the late Japanese PM visited Việt Nam four times and made important contributions to promoting the development of the two countries' relations comprehensively across all fields.

President Phúc is expected to attend the main activities of the State funeral and meet with the family of the deceased Prime Minister, as well as Japanese and world leaders, Hằng said.

Abe, 67, was assassinated by a 41-year-old man on the morning of July 8, 2022, while delivering a campaign speech for a Liberal Democratic Party candidate in Nara City.

Deputy PM's UN General Assembly

The foreign ministry also announced that Deputy Prime Minister Phạm Bình Minh is leading the Vietnamese delegation at the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly from September 22-24 in New York, the United States.

The visit takes place as Việt Nam celebrates the 45th anniversary of membership to the United Nations (September 20, 1977 – 2022) and successful fulfilment of its term as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.

Recently, cooperation between Việt Nam and the United Nations has been constantly strengthened, Hằng said, adding that Việt Nam is participating ever more actively and responsibly by making meaningful and in-depth contributions in all areas of the UN.

She noted that this has contributed to elevating the position of Việt Nam in the international arena.

During his stay in New York, the Deputy PM is expected to attend the opening ceremony and deliver important remarks at the general debate of the 77th General Assembly.

Also as part of the visit, Deputy PM Minh will meet with UN leaders, hold bilateral meetings, and chair an event commemorating the 45th anniversary of Việt Nam's accession to the UN. — VNS