Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on July 23 hosted separate receptions for the Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Korea (RoK), the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Japan who have been here for ASEAN related meetings and the 17 th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).

PM Dung spoke highly of the FMs’ attendance in ASEAN related meetings, saying they contributed actively to the success of these events.

Meeting with RoK Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung Hwan, the Vietnamese leader showed his delight at progress in the Vietnam-RoK strategic partnership.

He laid particular stress on economic, trade and investment cooperation, noting it has brought practical benefits for both countries and citing a 40 percent surge to 5 billion USD in the two countries’ two-way trade value in the first half of this year.

The PM highly valued the RoK Government for its ODA provision to Vietnam and sought its assistance in facilitating Vietnam ’s export to the RoK.

He also hoped for more chances for Vietnamese students and workers in the East Asian country and the building of a RoK university in Vietnam ’s central region.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese Government welcomes and continues to create favourable conditions for Korean investors and hoped that the RoK will work to facilitate Vietnamese citizens’ life there.

PM Dung suggested the RoK coordinate closely with ASEAN member countries in implementing effectively the ASEAN-RoK Free Trade Area agreement while hailing the promotion of the ASEAN-RoK relations to strategic partnership.

He thanked the RoK for inviting Vietnam as the ASEAN Chair to attend the G-20 Summit in November 2010 and noted that Vietnam will be happy to see the RoK President in Vietnam for the ASEAN Summit in Hanoi in October.

Referring to the death of a Vietnamese bride who was killed by her ill RoK husband, PM Dung said actions should be taken to prevent similar regrettable cases from happen to Vietnamese people who are living and working in the RoK.

The RoK minister said his country looks forward to PM Dung’s attendance at the G-20 meeting and spoke highly of Vietnam ’s socio-economic development in recent years.

He expressed his regret about the case of the killed Vietnamese bride and pledged to do his best to prevent similar cases.

He affirmed that his government will provide ODA for Vietnam and assist Vietnamese students and labourers in the RoK.

Talking with DPRK Foreign Minister Pak Ui Chun, PM Dung expressed his delight that Vietnam ’s friendship and traditional cooperation with the DPRK have unceasingly been consolidated and boosted.

He underlined that the Party and Government of Vietnam always treasure and wish to further boost its cooperation and traditional ties with the DPRK in the new era for the interest of their people and for peace, stability and development in Asia-Pacific and the world.

PM Dung affirmed that Vietnam supports peace, stability and denuclearisation in the Korean Peninsula and backs dialogues towards these goals, including the resumption of the six-party talks.

He delivered Vietnam ’s support for the UN Security Council Chair’s statement on July 9 on the Cheonan ship case, reiterating Vietnam ’s consistent stand of opposing threats to use or the use of force in international relations.

The Vietnamese leader said Vietnam welcomes all efforts by concerned parties that aim to settle their issues through peaceful talks and continue to exercise self-restraint from any action which may harm peace and stability in the Korean Peninsula .

For his part, the DPRK Minister reaffirmed that he would make positive contribution to nurturing the friendly ties and traditional cooperation between the two countries.

At his reception reserved for the Japanese FM Okada Katsuya, PM Dung noted that the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership has been developing positively, expressing hope that both country will further deepen their strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia in all fields.

He spoke highly of Japan ’s effective cooperation and assistance to Vietnam ’s socio-economic development and its integration into the global economy.

The PM said he expected that as a big economy in the world, Japan would continue providing Vietnam with its ODA and encourage Japanese businesses to invest in Vietnam .

FM Okada Katsuya stated that his government always attaches importance to expanding multi-dimensional relations with Vietnam and will work closely with relevant Vietnamese agencies to realise high-level agreements, especially those in economics, investment, energy, urban planning and development and human resources.

He informed his host that relevant Japanese agencies are making final preparations for the Japanese Prime Minister’s attendance at ASEAN+ and Mekong-Japan meetings.