Vietnam will join efforts with Japan to step up bilateral cooperation to a higher level, especially in the fields of economics, trade and investment, PM Nguyen Tan Dung said on Oct. 20.

While receiving Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi, PM Dung said cooperative relations between Vietnam and Japan continued to witness positive developments in the recent past, thus bringing practical benefits to the common development of both nations.

The PM told his guest that he is planning to pay an official visit to Japan in the near future, during which the two sides will discuss directions and solutions to further promote the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership.

PM Dung urged Japan to soon recognise Vietnam ’s market economy, and expected that the two countries will continue to coordinate and support each other at international and regional forums.

Deputy Foreign Minister Yamaguchi said Japan wants to further step up cooperative relations with Vietnam , especially in energy, infrastructure development and construction of hi-tech zones.

He affirmed that the Japanese Foreign Ministry will work closely with relevant ministries and agencies of both countries to effective carry out bilateral cooperation programmes and well prepare for future visits by high-ranking leaders./.