Vietnam attaches importance to its cooperation with Japan and as ASEAN Chair, Vietnam wants to boost cooperation between ASEAN and Japan, affirmed Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan.

Deputy PM Nhan made the statement while talking with Japanese Foreign Minister Katsuya Okada in Tokyo on May 21.

He thanked the Japanese Government for its commitment to provide ODA to Vietnam and cooperation with the latter in carrying out the North-South express railway and highway projects, the Hoa Lac hi-tech park project and other big projects.

The Deputy PM also thanked the Japanese Foreign Ministry for its help to examine a feasibility study of the Vietnam space centre construction project, proposing that the Japanese Government continue assisting the country in implementing this significant project.

FM Okada expressed his belief in the fast and effective development in the two countries’ economic, investment and trade ties thanks to the active implementation of the Vietnam-Japan economic partnership agreement (VJEPA) that became effective in October 2009.

He confirmed that he would monitor and promote big projects that the two governments have agreed in order to match with the two peoples’ aspirations.

In another meeting with the Minister of State for National Strategy Yoshito Sengoku the same day, Deputy PM Nhan congratulated Japan on its successful launch of Akatsuki probe to explore the Venus.

He said he hoped that the two countries would expand bilateral cooperation in aviation sector and human resource training, especially in Japanese language and nurses training.

Sengoku highlighted Deputy PM Nhan’s speech at a forum themed “Towards an Open Economic Partnership: A New Foundation for Growth” held by Japan’s Nikkei daily.

“Japan is one of important partners with which Vietnam wants to have a close and long-term cooperation” said Deputy PM Nhan at a working session with Japanese Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology Katsuo Kawataba on May 21.

He urged Japan’s cooperation with Vietnam in establishing an international university in the country and support for Vietnam's efforts in requesting the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) to recognise its Thang Long Citadel as the world cultural heritage.

Minister Kawataba hailed Vietnam’s suggestion on cooperation in building an international university in the country and affirmed to assign relevant agencies to study and survey the project.

He also pledged more attention from the Japanese Government, particularly his ministry, to have more Vietnamese students and trainees to study in Japan, especially to train 1,000 PhD degree holders for Vietnam by 2020.

Also on May 21, Deputy PM Nhan received representatives from Japan’s International Friendship Exchange Council (FEC) and the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentarians’ Friendship Union, Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Izumi Arai, Deputy President of the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi UFJ Tatsuo Tanaka and the Japan-Vietnam Special Ambassador Ryotaro Sugi.

Deputy PM Nhan and his entourage left Japan for Vietnam on the morning of May 22./.