Vietnam congratulates Taro Aso on his election as Prime Minister of Japan, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Le Dung on September 25.

Answering correspondents’ question on Vietnam’s reaction to Taro Aso’s election, spokesman Dung said:

“We hope that under the leadership of Prime Minister Taro Aso, Japan will continue to develop strongly, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.”

He went on, “Vietnam believes that PM Taro Aso and the new cabinet of Japan will continue to make positive contributions to promoting the friendship and multifaceted cooperation towards strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.”

The same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent a message of greetings to Taro Aso on his election as Japanese Prime Minister.