| Sharing their opinions on the bilateral ties and international issues of common concern, the two PMs were pleased with the blossoming friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The leaders agreed to further consolidate and strengthen the Việt Nam–Japan relationship in interests of the two peoples as well as for peace, stability and development of the region and the world. They also discussed orientations and measures to put into reality the “Joint Statement on the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia” gained during the official visit to Japan of Vietnamese Communist Party’s General Secretary Nông Đức Mạnh in April. Việt Nam and Japan pledged to cement their cooperation in economics, trade, culture, education and other fields, especially through realizing large-scale infrastructure projects such as the North-South Highway, the trans-Việt Nam Express Railway, the Hòa Lạc Hi-tech Park, the Terminal T2 of the Nội Bài International Airport; the Lạch Huyện International Seaport; and the Đà Nẵng–Quảng Ngãi Highway. The Vietnamese PM asked the Japanese Government to increase its ODA to Việt Nam. He confirmed that Việt Nam will closely work with Japan in strictly supervising anti-corruption in ODA projects. The host informed that the Japanese National Assembly started to consider the approval of the Việt Nam–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA). The Japanese Government will weigh up Việt Nam’s proposal for receiving a part of Japan’s emergency financial package for Asian countries to minimize impacts of the global economic crisis. The two sides agreed to open a dialogue forum to share information about Việt Nam’s market economic status, so that the Japanese Government can recognize Việt Nam’s market economy soon. The two countries vowed to jointly organize activities of the “Mekong-Japan Year 2009” as well as enhance bilateral coordination on international and regional forums. By Hồng Hạnh | 