At a reception for visiting State Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Kazuyuki Nakane in Hanoi on August 9, Minh praised the role of Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) in boosting Vietnam’s socio-economic development while hoping that both sides would continue their effective implementation of ODA-funded projects.

He praised the official visits of Japanese Emperor Akihitio and Empress Michiko to Vietnam and of Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang to Japan as the good way of bringing bilateral ties to a new stage of development.

Minh suggested continuing to jointly organize visits by high-ranking officials in 2018, which marks the 45th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations and called for more joint efforts to step up stronger economic-trade-investment cooperation, realize high-level agreements, and offering mutual support at international and regional forums.

In reply, Minister Nakane voiced his nation’s support for Vietnam’s sustainable development and desired to promote result-oriented relationship with the Southeast Asian nation.

He thanked Vietnam for its participation in and contributions to ASEAN’s cooperation mechanisms involving Japan and in the Mekong – Japan cooperation.

The minister said he hopes Vietnam would enhance its role once it becomes the coordinator of ASEAN - Japan ties for 2018 – 2021, as well as cooperate with Japan for the success of the Mekong – Japan Summit set to take place in October in Tokyo.

He also affirmed his nation’s support for Vietnam and ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea issue.

Source: vov.vn