Vietnam always considers Japan leading strategic partner: FM
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam always treasures and
considers Japan a leading strategic partner in its foreign policy of
diversification and multilateralisation of relations, Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi during
their talks in Tokyo on November 25.
Son hailed Hayashi’s
contributions to Vietnam – Japan ties over the past years, especially with the
signing of a Medium and Long-Term Vision for Japan-Vietnam Agricultural Cooperation
in August 2015 when he served as Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and
Fisheries.
He suggested the two foreign ministries
work closely together to boost all-level exchanges, assist Vietnam in economic
recovery post-pandemic, and offer official development assistance to the Southeast Asian nation in the fields
of infrastructure, energy conversion and digital transformation.
The Vietnamese minister proposed enhancing
consultations between policy planning departments, lauded Japan’s upgrading of its
Consular Office in Da Nang city into Consulate General in January 2022, and
suggested Japan allow the expansion of consular area of the Vietnamese
Consulate General in Osaka to 16 prefectures.
Hayashi, for his part, spoke
highly of Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh’s ongoing visit to Japan, saying that
he is the first foreign guest welcomed by the new Japanese administration.
Both sides vowed to work closely together to
lift bilateral extensive strategic partnership to a greater height, as well as
celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2023.
Amid rapid developments in the region and the
world, they pledged to increase collaboration at regional and global forums,
including the United Nations and ASEAN. They also discussed issues of shared
concern such as the East Sea.
On the occasion, Son invited the Japanese
minister to Vietnam to co-chair the 12th meeting of the Vietnam –
Japan Cooperation Committee. Hayashi accepted the invitation with pleasure./.