The two top legislators of the two countries held talks after the welcoming ceremony.
NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan strongly believed that the visit of Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan Oshima Tadamori would contribute to bringing the relationship between the two countries and the two legislatures to a new height.
NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Japan Oshima Tadamori
She said that with similarities in culture and history, sincerity, friendship, and mutual interests, the two countries’ relationship, which was elevated to “Extensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia” in 2014, has developed comprehensively and extensively.
The host also affirmed that the political trust between the two countries is the foundation for close and effective cooperation for mutual benefits. She suggested the two sides closely coordinate in organizing activities to mark the 45th anniversary of Vietnam - Japan diplomatic ties in 2018.
Highly appreciating the two countries’ determination to double their 2016 trade of USD 30 billion by 2020, she stated that Japan has become Vietnam’s leading important economic partner as it is the largest official development assistance (ODA) provider, the second biggest investor with 3,355 valid direct investment projects worth USD 42.49 billion, and the fourth largest bilateral trade partner. At present, more than 1,600 Japanese businesses, including many big corporations, are investing in Vietnam. She stressed that, in the coming time, Vietnam encourages Japan’s big corporations to participate in restructuring Vietnamese State-owned enterprises and the banking system under the form of public-private partnership (PPP).
Although the war in Vietnam ended 42 years ago, the country is still suffering severe legacy of wars such as consequences of agent orange/dioxin. The NA Chairwoman thanked Japan for assisting Vietnam in overcoming war consequences and wished Japan to provide non-refundable ODA for Vietnam to implement a joint pilot project on toxic chemical and agent orange/dioxin detoxification technology at Bien Hoa Airport. Moreover, Vietnam also hopes to promote cooperation with Japan in high technology, support industry and agriculture, especially in climate change response, she said.
On this occasion, the Vietnamese top legislator suggested the Japanese House of Representatives and Speaker Oshima Tadamori facilitate the activities of the Vietnamese community in Japan, thus contributing to the socio-economic development in each country and bridging the Vietnam-Japan friendship.
For his part, affirming his wish that the two sides continue increasing collaboration between their legislative bodies and exchanges between friendship parliamentarians’ groups, Speaker Oshima Tadamori suggested both sides to further boost relations in politics and economy.
The guest also shared Japanese enterprises’ successful lessons on foreign investment, especially in human resources and technology transfer. He said that many Japanese businesses have invested in Vietnam and many others also show their interest in doing business in Vietnam in the coming time. Speaker Tadamori asked the countries to implement regulations in global trade agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and hoped that they will continue discussion to promote the agreement.
At the talks, both sides highly valued cooperation between the two parliaments, friendship parliamentary groups, and parliamentarians of Vietnam and Japan. They both hoped that mutual visits and meetings between parliamentary leaders will be maintained and cooperation, dialogue and opinion and experience sharing between legislative agencies should be fostered. The Japanese guest highly valued activities of the friendship parliamentary groups and affirmed that the House of Representatives of Japan supports the realization of the countries’ high-level agreements. He also asked the two parliaments to step up supervising the implementation of joint programs and projects between the two governments, ministries, and sectors.
The two sides appreciated the two friendship parliamentary groups’ efforts to urge the two governments to establish the Vietnam-Japan University, which has been put into operation with good outcomes.
The two top legislators also exchanged views on some regional and international issues of mutual concerns, including the East Sea (South China Sea) issue. They agreed to stress on the need to maintain peace, stability, safety, security and freedom of navigation and over-flight in and above the East Sea; peacefully settle disputes; respect diplomatic and legal processes; and adhere to international law.
Translated by Ngoc Hung