Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda has reaffirmed his country’s strong support for Vietnam’s socio-economic development, committing to continuing the provision of official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, especially for infrastructure and energy projects.

Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda talked with his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Tan Dung, about bilateral ties in Tokyo on April 21 on the sidelines of the 4th Mekong-Japan Summit.

He said Japan will further assist Vietnam to implement poverty reduction and climate change adaptation programmes, formulate and carry out national industrialisation strategy until 2020, and develop the country’s East-West Economic Corridor.

The Japanese PM proposed that both countries work closely to speed up projects on scientific cities and ecological urban areas in Vietnam.

PM Dung thanked Japan for its commitment to supply Vietnam with the largest-ever ODA sum in the 2011 fiscal year despite its ongoing national reconstruction efforts.

Vietnam always creates favourable conditions for Japanese businesses to operate efficiently in the country, PM Dung affirmed, adding that he encourages Japanese companies to take part in infrastructure construction projects in the form of Public-Private Partnership (PPP).

He proposed that Japan further help Vietnam develop supporting industries and intensive industrial complexes in northern Hai Phong city and southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province.

PM Dung also asked Japan to strengthen cooperation in the search and rescue work with Vietnam , and increase scholarships for Vietnamese students.

At the talks, both PMs agreed that the two countries should maintain the frequent exchanges of high-level visits and dialogues, soon convene the 4th session of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee, and jointly organise activities to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2013.

They also agreed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in human resource development, science-technology, culture, and people-to-people exchanges.

Both sides expressed their pleasure with the ongoing implementation of joint economic cooperation projects, including those to build large-scale infrastructure facilities and the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant, and develop the rare earth industry in Vietnam .

They welcomed Japan ’s recent decision to receive Vietnamese nurses and orderlies, and an agreement between the Vietnam Airlines and the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries to purchase MRJ mid-range passenger jetliners and develop the aviation industry in Vietnam .

The two PMs exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, and vowed to coordinate closely at multilateral forums.

PM Dung praised Japan’s role and contributions to the success of the 4th Mekong-Japan summit.

PM Noda supported Vietnam’s stance on ensuring free trade and maritime security and safety in the East Sea, as well as the settlement of disputes through peaceful means on the basis of international laws, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Earlier, PM Dung delivered a speech at the Japanese Press Club and answered the Japanese media’s questions on bilateral ties and cooperation.

Later on the day, Prime Minister Dung and his entourage left Tokyo for Hanoi.-VNA