Vietnam wishes to further deepen its economic cooperation with Japan, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung told outgoing Japanese Ambassador Tanizaki Yasuaki at a reception in Hanoi on September 17.

Prime Minister Dung also reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of attaching importance to working together with Japan to develop the two countries’ relations intensively and extensively for the benefit of both sides.

He asked Japan to maintain higher official development assistance to Vietnam and expressed hope that the two nations will cooperate closely in Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, while making education-training and security-defence ties more productive.

While speaking highly of the ambassador’s contribution in promoting the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, PM Dung said that the two countries have similarities, especially in culture, and potentials and advantages to support each other during the process of cooperation and development.

For his part, the Japanese Ambassador said the two nations should continue to focus on strengthening cooperation in agriculture and security-defence and collaborate closely and support each other at regional and international forums.

He also pledged to do his utmost to further nurture the two countries’ friendship and cooperation.

Vietnam and Japan elevated their relationship to a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia in 2010.-VNA