The State and people of Vietnam are very pleased to welcome the first visit toVietnam by the Japanese Emperor and Empress, President Quang he said during aninterview granted to the Japanese newspaper Yomiuri Shimbun.
He said he hopes the visit will contribute to further strengthening theVietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership in all fields, meetingaspirations and interests of the two peoples.
The Vietnamese State leader highlighted the sound development of bilateral tiesover the last 40 years, saying that the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategicpartnership for peace and prosperity in Asia, which was formedin 2014, is a firm foundation for bolstering the comprehensive and substantial relationshipbetween the two countries across fields.
Political trust between Vietnam and Japan has been reinforced through the regularexchange of high-ranking visits and meetings, the most recent trip to Vietnamby Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in early this year.
Vietnam and Japan established and effectively implemented numerous dialogue mechanismsin specific areas, and cooperation between their ministries and sectors havebeen expanded. The two sides have also worked closely at regional and globalforums.
Japan is Vietnam’s largest ODA provider, second biggest investor and fourthlargest bilateral trade partner. Thereare about 1,600 Japanese enterprises operating in Vietnam. The two countries arejoining hands in implementing many large-scale infrastructure and energyprojects in Vietnam.
The two countries have also recorded flourishing cooperation in terms ofsecurity-defence, agriculture, labour, and climate change adaptation. Collaborationbetween Vietnamese and Japanese localities has been fostered in a practicalmanner, with nearly 30 pairs of localities setting up twinning relations.
People-to-people and cultural exchange, and tourism links have been enhanced.In 2016, Japan ranked third in the number of tourists visiting Vietnam.
Vietnam and Japan boast great potentialfor boosting their ties in many fields as they have mutually complementarystrengths, President Quang stressed, adding that the two countries’ leadershave met regularly and agreed to further deepen bilateral relations.
They agreed to enhance political trust via maintaining visits and contacts atall levels, and improve the efficiency of dialogue mechanisms, Quang said,stressing that these are vital to further bolster multifaceted cooperation betweenthe two countries.
The two sides will push win-win cooperation in trade and investment, and worktogether in effectively using Japan’s ODA source in key infrastructure projectsin Vietnam, towards making those into a symbol of success in economiccooperation between the two nations, the President said.
The two sides will pay heed to continuously fostering links in potential fieldslike high-tech and clean agriculture, labour, culture, people-to-peopleexchange and connection among their localities, laying a foundation for a moresustainable cooperation in the future.
The President said he believes with efforts and sound policies of both sides, theVietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership will develop strongly, for interestsof each country, for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and theworld.
The President took the occasion to convey his best wishes to the Royal family,Government and people of Japan.
Japan’s Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko are paying a State visit to Vietnamfrom February 28 to March 5 at the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang andhis spouse.-VNA