Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Japanese Emperor Naruhito (Photo: VNA)
The PM’s participation at the event reflects Vietnam’s attachment of importance to the extensive strategic partnership with Japan, its top important economic partner, the largest supplier of official development assistance, the second largest investor and the fourth largest trade partner. The two countries are also members of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.
Together with heads of state and high-level leaders of over 190 countries, territories and international organisations, PM Phuc joined solemn rituals at the Imperial House of Japan.
The Vietnamese leader also attended a banquet hosted by the Japanese Emperor and Empress.
Meeting the Japanese Emperor, he expressed his belief that under the sound leadership of the Emperor and Empress, Japan will enter a new era of prosperous development.
He wished that the Emperor would support the development of the Vietnam - Japan ties for the benefit of the two peoples, contributing to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
While in Japan, the PM met bilaterally with PM of the Czech Republic Andrej Babis, President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev and President of Albania Ilir Meta, and received Governor of Kanagawa prefecture Yuji Kuroiwa, President and CEO of Nikkei Group Naotoshi Okada, and Chairman and CEO of SoftBank Masayoshi Son.
Meeting with countries’ leaders, PM Phuc discussed measures to deepen bilateral ties, towards the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.
Leaders of the three countries agreed to strengthen bilateral friendship and debated ways to enhance mutual support with Vietnam at regional and international forums, especially when Vietnam becomes ASEAN Chair in 2020 and a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020 - 2021 tenure.
They also highlighted the importance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea, and supported the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with international law./.