Vietnam highly values and vows to effectively use Japan’s official development assistance (ODA), National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung told a senior Japanese legislator.

Receiving Toshihiro Nikai, chairman of the Lower House Budget Committee, in Hanoi on July 28, Hung thanked the government and people of Japan for their valuable assistance to Vietnam, especially ODA to development projects in the country.

He said bilateral relations have developed strongly since the two countries established the extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia in March 2013.

He appreciated Japan’s support for Vietnam at international forums, and hoped the parliamentary friendship groups of both countries will maintain visit exchanges to share experience and boost cooperation.

The NA chief also proposed that Vietnam and Japan expand cooperation in culture, education, security and national defence, alongside economics.

For his part, Toshihiro Nikai, who is also president of the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group, acknowledged the quality of Nhat Tan Bridge and other Japanese-funded projects in Vietnam, saying their success will help promote bilateral economic cooperation.  

He said the two countries need to work closely to move Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement negotiations forward, while increasing cooperation in preventing natural disasters.

Regarding the recent tension in the East Sea, both host and guest shared the view that Vietnam and Japan will cooperate closely in maintaining a peaceful environment of peace and cooperation in the region.

They also showed their strong resolve to defend national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Vietnam-Japan agreements running smoothly

President Truong Tan Sang welcomed Chairman of the Budget Committee of the Lower House of Japan Toshihiro Nikai in Hanoi on July 28, saying that agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders are being carried out smoothly.

The State leader said Vietnam and Japan have been gaining high mutual trust in various fields, particularly in politics.

He noted the two sides are working together in defence-security and economics-trade, while their cooperation in fishing tuna off the coast of central Vietnam has made important strides.

Vietnam has also completed procedures for the establishment of a Japan-Vietnam university, he added.

Toshihiro Nikai valued the host country’s favourable conditions for the school, which he deemed a symbol of their friendship.

He asked for more support from Vietnamese leaders for Japanese agencies and enterprises operating in Vietnam as well as his country’s hosting of the Olympics and Paralympics.

The legislator said Japan, as a close friend of Vietnam, always supports the country and is willing to help it improve traffic infrastructure.

At the meeting, Japanese parliamentarians applauded effectively implemented cooperation projects and touched upon the potential of collaborating in crop and animal husbandry and close coordination in negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement.

Parliamentarians ready to support Vietnam-Japan partnership 

Politburo member To Huy Rua, head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission has affirmed Vietnamese parliamentarians’ willingness to support relations between Vietnam and Japan as part of the bilateral Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia.

At a July 28 reception for Chairman of the Budget Committee of the Lower House of Japan Toshihiro Nikai in Hanoi, Rua, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarian Group, briefed his host on Vietnamese Government’s decision to establish a Vietnam-Japan University, describing this as a vivid manifestation of the stronger strategic ties between the two  nations.

He thanked the Japanese Government for providing official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, noting that the country will use the capital effectively and intensify inspection on ODA projects.

He suggested the friendship parliamentary groups should continue working together to increase bilateral cooperation in various areas, especially in agriculture and human resources training.

Toshihiro Nikai said his nation is ready to share its experience in reforming financial and monetary markets, resolving bad debts, and restructuring State-run businesses and customs.

As Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group and former Minister of Economics, Trade and Industry, he will do his utmost to push up comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, he said.

VOV/VNA/VNN