Vietnam treasures cooperation with Japanese localities

State President Truong Tan Sang made the statement at meetings with leaders from Japan’s Kansai region and the Vietnam-Japan friendship organizations in the framework of his trip to Osaka on March 19.

Meeting with representatives from seven Vietnam-Japan friendships organizations in Osaka, Kyoto, Kobe, Sakai and Hiroshima, the Vietnamese State leader highlighted a number of activities marking the 40^th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties in 2013.

He affirmed the positive contribution they made to consolidating political trust, friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations.

Sang expressed his satisfaction with the all-round cooperation between the Kansai region and Vietnamese localities which, he said, will provide a firm foundation for Vietnam-Japan relations to develop and flourish in the future.

The close-knit relationship and mutual cooperation between Vietnam and Japan are the results of tireless efforts by the two countries’ government and people, he added.

The Japanese Emperor and Empress greet President Truong Tan Sang and his wife  before they leave Tokyo for Osaka. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese State acknowledged and commended the enormous contributions made by Japanese individuals and organisations, in particular those from the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Organisation in the Kansai region and other Japanese cities to fostering friendship.

President Sang presented the Friendship Order- Vietnam’s notable award to five Japanese individuals and the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Organisation of Kansai.

He expressed his hope that Vietnam-Japan friendship organisations will continue to serve as a bridge for the promotion of cooperative friendship between the Kansai region and Vietnam, helping to strengthen the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership.

The same day, President Sang also talked with Kansai economic leaders and Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) Chairman Shosuke Mori.

Shosuke Mori stressed that the fruitful cooperation over the past years and the Vietnamese President’s visit this time will raise the two countries’ strategic partnership to new heights.

Kansai Economic Federation (Kankeiren) is an association of businesses operating in nine Japanese prefectures including Tykyo, Hyogo, Osaka and Nara.

The non-profit organisation includes 780 members, primarily major groups and enterprises involved in finance-banking, electronics, engineering and science-technology.

Many Kankeiren businesses have operated effectively in Vietnam and desire stronger links with Vietnamese partners in the future, Shosuke Mori said.

Speaking before the two nations’ business representatives, President Sang said Japan is Vietnam’s No 1 investor, biggest ODA provider and a lucrative market for export-import, tourism and science-technology.

Vietnam is becoming actively involved in ASEAN-Japan economic cooperation, ASEAN+3, Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations with the EU and the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia.

In particular, the Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiations are opening favourable opportunities for further enhancing Vietnam-Japan partnership, Sang noted.

He suggested Japanese businesses bolster cooperation in key areas of Vietnam’s industrialization strategy-  electronics, agricultural machinery, agro-fishery product processing, shipbuilding, the environment, energy saving, production of automobile and auto spare parts in which developing support industries is an important factor.

Sang thanked Japan for its support for Vietnam in developing support industries, attracting foreign investment projects and transferring technologies and management experience to Vietnamese businesses which will greatly benefit the two nations’ industrial sector.

He reiterated Vietnam’s willingness to offer the best possible conditions for Japanese investment in the country for mutual benefit, a stronger strategic partnership and a prosperous and united Asia.

The State leader witnessed the signing of a cooperation Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Hanoi Support Industry Association and Japan’s Genepro group.

Sang then met with a number of governors from Osaka, Hyogo, Kobe, Kyoto and Osaka during which he thanked their administrations for deepening the friendship and mutual understanding between Vietnam and Japanese localities.

He also praised Kyoto and Thua Thien Hue central province for signing a cooperation MoU in the time to come.

That evening President Sang and his delegation are due to leave Osaka for Hanoi, concluding their four-day visit to Japan.

The visit has opened up a new chapter in Vietnam-Japan relations for peace and prosperity in Asia.