Lookatvietnam - A Vietnamese delegation led by Tran Van Hang, head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, is on a visit to Japan from January 14-19.

During a working session with Chief Cabinet Secretary Takeo Kawamura in Tokyo on January 16, the two sides exchanged views on major developments in Vietnam-Japan relations, especially activities to mark 35 years of their diplomatic relations and the signing of the Vietnam-Japan economic partnership agreement (EPA) in late 2008.

Mr Hang appreciated the Japanese Government’s valuable assistance to Vietnam during the past 35 years and expressed his belief that the two countries will enter into a new period of building a reliable and strategic partnership.

Secretary Kawamura said that Japan wants to promote mutually beneficial cooperation with Vietnam. He stressed that the upcoming visit to Vietnam by the Japanese Prince and another visit to Japan by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh this year would help lay a firm foundation for building a strategic partnership between the two countries in the near future.

He affirmed that Japan will consider ratifying and realising the EPA at the earliest possible time. He assured that Japan will continue to provide official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam to implement development projects in infrastructure construction, science and technology, personnel training and health care.

During his stay, Mr Hang also held working sessions with several leaders of the Japanese Diet, Government and political parties.

On January 17, he attended an international banquet hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan to welcome Vietnam’s traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) festival, which falls on January 26.

On January 18, he will visit the former imperial capital of Kyoto, Osaka city and meet with local authorities.

(Source: VOV)