On behalf of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam, President Phuc offered his deepest condolences to the Liberal Democratic Party, parliament, Government, and people of Japan, along with the family of Abe, who he described as a “close friend” of the Vietnamese leaders and people.

He affirmed that Vietnam’s leaders and people cherish former PM Abe’s sentiment towards and significant contributions to the two countries’ friendship and cooperation.

Vietnam always treasures the extensive strategic partnership with Japan, views Japan as an important and long-term strategic partner, and supports the latter in actively contributing to regional and global peace and development, the State leader said.

PM Kishida appreciated President Phuc and other Vietnamese leaders’ messages for Japan and former PM Abe.

Japan particularly respects its relations with Vietnam and highly values the Southeast Asian nation’s socio-economic achievements and growing stature and role in the region and the world, he went on.

The two leaders expressed their delight at the strong, comprehensive and substantive development of their countries’ relations. They agreed on orientations for their extensive strategic partnership as the two sides celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023.

In particular, they agreed to continue enhancing political trust through frequent mutual high-ranking visits; step up diplomatic, security, defence, and economic cooperation in an effective and substantive manner; increase people-to-people and cultural exchanges and tourism links; and coordinate to successfully organise activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.

They also agreed to strengthen collaboration in post-COVID economic recovery, while reinforcing the economies' connectivity and enhancing strategic cooperation in priority areas such as providing new-generation ODA for Vietnam, developing high-quality human resources, and assisting Vietnam in industrialising and developing an independent and self-reliant economy that strongly integrates into the global economy.

The host leader said the Japanese Government will continue easing post-entry quarantine measures for Vietnamese citizens and resume visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders.

It will continue reforming regulations and policies related to foreign workers, including those of Vietnamese nationality, and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese people to live, study, and work in the country, he affirmed.

At the talks, the two leaders also discussed international and regional issues of common concern.

President meets with Speaker of Japanese House of Representatives

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc met Japan’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Hosoda Hiroyuki on September 26 as part of his trip to the country to attend the state funeral for late Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

During the meeting, the Vietnamese leader expressed his deep sympathy over the passing of the late PM. He spoke highly of Abe’s special contributions to Vietnam-Japan relationship, and to promoting parliamentary cooperation between the two countries in recent years.

He affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to and wishes to work with Japan to strengthen their extensive strategic partnership.

President Phuc suggested the two sides continue to deepen multifaceted cooperation in accordance with the will of late PM Abe, including strengthening exchanges of delegations at all levels, and cooperation between the legislative bodies.

He called on the House of Representatives of Japan to support the Japanese government’s assistance for Vietnam in building an independent, self-reliant economy that is extensively and intensively integrated into the world through the provision of official development assistance (ODA); and promote trade and investment cooperation, and cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

For his part, Hosoda thanked President Phuc and extended his thanks to the Vietnamese leaders for sending a high-ranking delegation to attend the state funeral.

This is a special gesture that shows the respect of the Vietnamese leaders for the late Japanese PM, and recognition for his dedication to Vietnam–Japan relations, he said.

The speaker recalled Abe’s desire to step up the Vietnam-Japan relationship during his lifetime, emphasising that the late PM attached great importance to Vietnam's role in the region and devoted much to promoting the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

He said for Japan, Vietnam is an economic-trade and labour partner, affirming his country’s support for promoting relations, especially in infrastructure development, ODA, technology transfer, bringing Vietnamese farm produce to the Japanese market, and labour cooperation.

The two sides agreed to continue close cooperation in international issues and support the role and stance of ASEAN, thus contributing to promoting peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Vietnam’s State leader meets with President of Japan’s House of Councillors

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with President of the Japanese House of Councillors Otsuji Hidehisa in Tokyo on September 26 as part of his stay to attend the state funeral of former Prime Minister Abe Shinzo.

Expressing his deep condolences over the death of former PM Abe, President Phuc said cooperation between the Vietnamese and Japanese parliaments has recorded great strides in recent years.

Otsuji appreciated the Vietnamese high-ranking delegation’s participation in the funeral, which he said reflects the country’s respect for late PM Abe. He also highlighted the willingness to continue reinforcing bilateral cooperation, including parliamentary ties, as Abe wished.

President Phuc held that the Vietnam - Japan extensive strategic partnership, including relations between the parliaments, has becoming increasingly strong and effective.

He said he hopes the two countries will further increase cooperation activities, especially amid the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023, boost delegation exchanges at all levels, and enhance collaboration between their legislative bodies.

For his part, the Japanese upper house’s leader shared his guest’s view on the fields needing stronger cooperation in, affirming that Vietnam is an important partner for Japan, especially in terms of economy, trade and human resources.

He noted the House of Councillors will continue advocating bilateral relations, particularly in infrastructure building, ODA provision, technology transfer, farm produce trading, labour, and locality-to-locality links.

To help strengthen bilateral ties, he voiced his wish to visit Vietnam and discuss issues of multifaceted cooperation, including parliamentary ties, with the country’s leaders.

At the meeting, the two sides also agreed to maintain close cooperation in international issues and support the role and stance of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), thereby contributing to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation and development.

Source: VNA