President Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) meets with Japanese Emperor Naruhito in Tokyo on September 28 (Photo: VNA) The Vietnamese leader expressed his deep condolences over thedeath of Abe, highlighting the former PM’s special sentiment, dedication, andefforts to promote the countries’ friendship, especially the upgrade ofbilateral ties to the Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperityin Asia in 2014, which Phuc described as a precious heritage needing to beupheld and promoted.
He highly valued the vigorous, comprehensive, and substantivedevelopment of the extensive strategic partnership in all fields, increased people-to-people exchanges, and mutual assistance in trying times, especiallyamid the COVID-19 pandemic.
President Phuc appreciated support from Japan, which was thefirst country to donate COVID-19 vaccine and medical supplies toVietnam to help with pandemic response.
He also extended an invitation from Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and himself to the Japanese Emperor and Empress to visit Vietnam on theoccasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2023. He heldthat the visit will hold significant importance to the countries’ relations.
Expressing his delight at the thriving relations, Emperor Naruhitoaffirmed that he attaches great importance to the Vietnam - Japan friendshipand will do his utmost to contribute to bilateral ties.
He also underlined the importance of enhancing mutual trustand understanding between the two peoples through cultural and people-to-peopleexchanges, particularly in the year marking the 50th anniversary of diplomaticrelations./.
VNA
