Vietnam is willing to assist Palestine to build its independent state, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Doan Xuan Hung has said.

Hung made the comments at the first Conference on Cooperation among East Asian Countries for Palestinian Development (CEAPAD) taking place in Tokyo, Japan, from February 13–14, where he was leading the Vietnamese delegation.

“Vietnam is ready to continue the training courses for Palestinian officials, send agriculture experts to Palestine, and share its economic development experience with the country,” he said.

Hung reviewed Vietnam’s assistance programmes to Palestine over the past 25 years, highlighting personnel training in drug and crime prevention, and the help to Palestinian diplomatic agencies’ operations in the country.

Meeting with the Vietnamese Ambassador, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad thanked Vietnam for its continued support for Palestinian institutional building and economic development efforts.

The first CEAPAD took place following Palestine’s upgraded UN observer state status in November 2012, when it was experiencing financial and economic difficulties.

Indonesia is expected to host the second CEAPAD.