Vietnam and Japan consented to work closely together at multilateral forums at their fourth strategic partnership dialogue in Tokyo on November 11.

Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son and his Japanese counterpart Shinsuke Sugiyama discussed each country’s foreign policy, national defence and security, as well as regional and global issues of mutual interest.

They agreed that the next round of dialogue will take place in Vietnam next year.

Receiving Son the same day, Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Seiji Kihara declared that Vietnam is in the echelon of Japan’s top partners.

They expressed satisfaction with the progress of the bilateral strategic partnership over the past time, adding that activities during the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties have strengthened mutual understanding and friendship between their people.

Both sides were unanimous on increasing all-level visits and exchanges, effectively making use of existing dialogue mechanisms while augmenting cooperation in the fields of economics, trade and investment between the two countries as well as the ties between the two ministries.-VNA