Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (R) welcomes Japanese Foreign Minister Gemba Koichiro, Hanoi, July 14, 2012 – Photo: VGP

The Government chief spoke highly of the outcomes of the meeting and the talks between the two countries’ Foreign Ministers.

PM Dung expressed his pleasure at the fine developments of the strategic ties in various fields. He hoped that both sides would further strengthen bilateral cooperation for mutual benefits and for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

In this spirit, Vietnam established a Steering Committee for organizing the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year in 2013 and another committee for stepping up industrial development between the two countries.

He asked Japanese side to continue providing ODA for Vietnam’s projects on socio-economic development, especially those relevant to infrastructure, energy and climate change adaptation.

PM Dung also asked the two governments to speed up the implementation of big projects, including the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant and rare earth exploitation; to enhance cooperation in search and rescue work.

Foreign Minister Gemba Koichiro affirmed that Japan attaches special importance to consolidating relations with Vietnam in all fields.

Regarding the East Sea issue, he said Japan supports maritime security and safety and settlement of disputes through peaceful negotiations, with respect for international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

By Hai Minh