Visiting Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung made the statement during talks with Hirata Kenji, chair of the Japan's Upper House, in Tokyo on December 5.

   Vietnam and Japan held parliamentary talks in Tokyo.

Hung thanked Japan for maintaining high levels of official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam and confirmed that Vietnam will continue managing and using this source of capital efficiently.

He proposed that both countries and legislative bodies increase delegation exchanges to especially share experience in decision-making and legislation.

He stressed that Vietnamese people believe and attach great importance to the friendship and cooperation with Japan despite its recent Cabinet reshuffle.  

The chief Vietnamese legislator expressed his pleasure at the fine development of bilateral relations, and said the two countries need to work closely together to successfully organize the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year in 2013 to mark 40 years of diplomatic ties.

For his part, Hirata Kenji praised Vietnam’s Renewal achievements and its increasing role globally, stressing that strengthening cooperative relations with Vietnam helps expand and develop Japan’s relations in the region, for the sake of peace, friendship and development.

He echoed Hung’s view on the two countries’ close coordination in celebrating the Friendship Year in 2013 and suggested that the two parliaments and governments work more closely in the areas of culture and education.

He confirmed that Japan will increase ODA for Vietnam, and hoped the capital will be better managed and used.

Noting that Japanese investment in Vietnam has increased significantly over the years, Kenji proposed that Vietnam continue improving its investment environment to create favourable conditions for the two business circles to speed up cooperation projects.

The same day, Hung visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Tokyo where he met with embassy staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community there.

VOV