Vietnam always considers Japan leading strategic partner: FM

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son (L) and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi (Photo: VNA)

Minister Bui Thanh Son hailed Hayashi’s contributions to Vietnam – Japan ties over the past years, especially with the signing of a Medium and Long-Term Vision for Japan-Vietnam Agricultural Cooperation in August 2015 when he served as Japanese Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries.

He suggested the two foreign ministries work closely together to boost all-level exchanges, assist Vietnam in economic recovery post-pandemic, and offer official development assistance to the Southeast Asian nation in the fields of infrastructure, energy conversion and digital transformation.

The Vietnamese minister proposed enhancing consultations between policy planning departments, lauded Japan’s upgrading of its Consular Office in Da Nang city into Consulate General in January 2022, and suggested Japan allow the expansion of consular area of the Vietnamese Consulate General in Osaka to 16 prefectures.

Hayashi, for his part, spoke highly of Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh’s ongoing visit to Japan, saying that he is the first foreign guest welcomed by the new Japanese administration.

Both sides vowed to work closely together to lift bilateral extensive strategic partnership to a greater height, as well as celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2023.

Amid rapid developments in the region and the world, they pledged to increase collaboration at regional and global forums, including the United Nations and ASEAN. They also discussed issues of shared concern such as the East Sea.

On the occasion, Minister Bui Thanh Son invited the Japanese minister to Vietnam to co-chair the 12th meeting of the Vietnam – Japan Cooperation Committee. Hayashi accepted the invitation with pleasure./.