Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang (R) and Chairman of Nippon Foundation and Sasakawa Peace Foundation Yohei Sasakawa (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang highlyvalued the valuable support for Vietnam provided by Nippon Foundation, Sasakawa Peace Foundation and their Chairman YoheiSasakawa since 1980, during a reception in Hanoi on March 19 for the Japaneseguest.
Deputy PM Quang highlighted the effectiveness of thefoundations' assistance delivered through specific programmes, including theVietnam-Japan defence exchange and initiatives aimed at poverty reduction andsocio-development development in Vietnam's disadvantaged areas.
He hailed Japan as Vietnam's leading important partner which is the top provider of official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam, the second biggest partner in in labourcooperation, and third in investment and tourism.
The Deputy PM wished that Sasakawa would continue to contribute to strengthening political trust between the two countries and carry more support projects in Vietnam.
Sasakawa,in turn, expressed delight at the elevation of Vietnam-Japan ties to aComprehensive Strategic Partnership last year, affirming his commitment toexpanding the scope of this new partnership.
The Nippon Foundation, he noted, has providedscholarships for Vietnamese students for 40 years, with 80 beneficiaries todate. It hasalso rolled out socio-economic development projects and assisted people withdisabilities in Vietnam, with a total aid of 30 million USD.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to fosteringcloser ties and trust, not only at the Government level but also among allsectors and people of both countries, through various cooperation activities andmutual exchange./.
