Vietnam attaches importance to the strengthening of ties with Japan , in the interest of the people from both countries, and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world, said To Huy Rua, Politburo member and Party Central Committee Secretary.

Meeting Takebe Tsutomu, former President of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance in Hanoi on March 11, Rua, who is also President of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group, expressed his pleasure with the growing ties between the countries.

The countries’ joint activities to celebrate 40 years of their diplomatic ties in 2013 will boost friendship and mutual understanding between Vietnamese and Japanese people, especially the youngsters. It will consolidate the firm foundation the stable and long-lasting friendship and cooperation between both countries is built on, he said.

Rua highly values Takebe’s contributions to the political and economic cooperation between Vietnam and Japan . He said he hopes Takebe will continue his efforts to foster ties between the two countries in all fields.

Takebe spoke highly of the development of the all-around cooperation between Vietnam and Japan , and affirmed that Japan pays much attention to the strengthening of the strategic partnership that the two countries enjoy.

He asserted that as a former President of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance and current Honorary President of the Japan-Vietnam Business Forum, he will continue making contributions to the comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries, especially in the implementation of large-scale joint projects in Vietnam.-VNA