President Tran Dai Quang made the statement during a recent interview granted to Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.

The State and people of Vietnam are very pleased to welcome the first-ever visit to Vietnam by the Japanese Emperor and Empress, he said, adding that he hopes the visit will contribute to further reinforcing the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership across a variety of fields, meeting aspirations and interests of the two peoples.

The Vietnamese State leader hailed the vigorous growth of bilateral ties over the past four decades, saying that the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia, which was formed in 2014, has provided a firm foundation for promoting the comprehensive and substantial relationship between the two countries in a multitude of areas.

Political trust between the two nation has been consolidated through the regular high-ranking exchange visits and meetings, the most recent trip to Vietnam by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in early this year. 

Vietnam and Japan have effectively carried out dialogue mechanisms in specific areas as a result of expanded cooperation between their ministries and sectors. They have also worked closely at regional and global forums. 

Japan is Vietnam’s largest ODA provider, second biggest investor and fourth largest bilateral trade partner.  As many as 1,600 Japanese enterprises are operating in Vietnam. The two countries are embarking on many large-scale infrastructure and energy projects in Vietnam. 

They have also enjoyed fruitful cooperation in terms of security-defence, agriculture, labour, and climate change adaptation. Collaboration between Vietnamese and Japanese localities has been augmented in a practical manner, with nearly 30 pairs of localities setting up twin relationships.

In 2016, Japan came third in the number of tourists to Vietnam thanks to enhanced people-to-people and cross-cultural exchange, and tourism links 

Vietnam and Japan boast huge potential for fostering ties in many fields as they have mutually complementary strengths, Quang said, noting that leaders have agreed to further deepen bilateral relations in the time to come.

They concurred to enhance political trust via maintaining visits and contacts at all levels, and improve the efficiency of dialogue mechanisms that are vital to further bolster multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. 

The two sides will accelerate win-win cooperation in trade and investment, and work together in effectively using Japan’s ODA source in key infrastructure projects in Vietnam, towards making those into a symbol of success in economic cooperation between the two nations, Quang said.

They will pay greater attention to ceaselessly enhancing links in potential fields like high-tech and clean agriculture, labour, culture, people-to-people exchange and connection among their localities, laying a foundation for a more sustainable cooperation in the future. 

The President said he believes with efforts and sound policies of both sides, the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership will grow and flourish in interests of each country, for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

The President used the occasion to convey his best wishes to the Royal family, Government and people of Japan.

Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are making a State visit to Vietnam from February 28- March 5 at the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse.

                                                  

Source: vov.vn