Japan considers Vietnam a leading recipient of its official development assistance (ODA) and continues to provide the aid at high levels for the Southeast Asian economy.

Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba made the statement during bilateral talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi on July 14.

Koichiro, who is visiting Hanoi, said the aid will be focused on finalizing market economic institutions, supporting growth, enhancing the economic competitive capacity, coping with natural disasters, and adapting to climate change.

He affirmed Japan’s resolve to comprehensively develop the strategic partnership with Vietnam in various areas.

Meanwhile, Minister Minh said Vietnam considers Japan one of Vietnam’s leading strategic partners.

He welcomed Japan’s decision to provide ODA at high levels for Vietnam, as well as its support to help Vietnam become an industrial nation by 2020.

Both host and guest agreed to maintain reciprocal visits, bring into full play the role of the existing dialogue mechanisms, and effectively implement reached agreements, including those to build the trans-national expressway, Lach Huyen port, Long Thanh airport, and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant, and those to exploit and process rare earth.

They shared the view that the two countries will cooperate more closely to further finalise the investment environment in Vietnam, speed up the private-public partnership model, and strengthen cooperation in trade, climate change adaptation, judicial affairs, and human resource training.

Koichiro assured Minh that Japan will help Vietnam draw up and implement a strategy for industrial development in the country.

The two diplomats agreed that Vietnam and Japan will work closely to successfully organize their friendship year in 2013 to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Minh said the Vietnamese government has decided to establish a committee in charge of coordinating and organizing activities within the framework of the friendship year in 2013. The committee is led by Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.   

The two FMs exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including recent developments in the East Sea.

They held that concerned parties need to settle sea disputes through peaceful means and in respect for international law, including the 1982 UN Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and the building of the Code of Conduct (COC).   

 They said Vietnam and Japan will try their best to contribute to maintaining peace, maritime safety, peace, and stability in the region.

The two diplomats also chaired the fourth session of the Vietnam-Japan Joint Committee in Hanoi on the same day.

Later Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba was received by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

VOV