VietNamNet Bridge – Viet Nam attaches importance to its ties with Japan and wants to boost the strategic partnership between the two countries to a new height, said a Vietnamese senior government official.


Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem made the remark during a meeting yesterday, Feb 14, with Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Yutaka Banno, who is on a working visit to Viet Nam.


During the meeting, Khiem briefed his guest on the outcomes of the 11th National Party Congress, which was held last month, saying Viet Nam would continue its foreign policy of independence and self-reliance, while actively pursuing international integration.


"Viet Nam is willing to befriend and become trustworthy partners of the international community," he said.


He also spoke highly of recent progress in bilateral ties, especially achievements recorded during the official visit to Viet Nam by Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan in October last year.


Khiem thanked and praised the Japanese government for their commitment to provide a record US$1.76 billion in Official Development Assistance for Viet Nam in fiscal 2010.


For his part, Banno said Japan wished to further bolster strategic relations with Viet Nam on the basis of mutual trust.

Both sides pledged to continue boosting the exchange of high-ranking visits and work together to raise the role of the Viet Nam-Japan Cooperation Committee in the implementation of agreements reached between the two countries' leaders. They also reached consensus to strengthen co-operation between the two foreign ministries.


On the same day, the Japanese diplomat met with Minister and chairman of the Government Office Nguyen Xuan Phuc and deputy head of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Nguyen Manh Hung and held talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son.


* VFF strives to improve operation


The Presidium of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee held its fifth meeting on February 14 to review VFF’s work in 2010 and deploy its plan for 2011 under the chairmanship of VFF Central Committee Chairman Huynh Dam.


The meeting was attended by Party Politburo member Dinh The Huynh and member of the Party secretariat Ha Thi Khiet.

According to VFF’s plan for 2011, it will strengthen its communication work about the Party and State’s policies and laws, as well as the Ho Chi Minh Thought about the great national unity.


VFF at all levels and its members will also take the initiative to people of all classes to learn and implement the 11th Party National Congress’s Resolution and local Party’s Congress resolutions.


In addition, VFF will gradually improve its operation, especially its supervision and social criticism activities, said participants at the congress, adding that VFF play an important role in the nation’s construction and defence.


Also at the meeting, Mr. Huynh, who is also head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, informed participants of the outcomes of the 11th National Party Congress.


VNN/VOV/VNS