Vietnam and Japan have agreed to bolster promote bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, culture and education, with special attention to the implementation of large infrastructure projects.

The two leaders expressed pleasure at the positive development of the friendly and cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Japan.

Aso praised Vietnam’s solutions to cushion the impact of the global financial turbulence and maintain steady economic growth.

Dung thanked Japan for providing practical assistance to Vietnam’s economic development, national construction and international integration.

The premiers discussed specific measures to implement agreements contained in the Vietnam-Japan Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia, which was issued during Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh’s official visit to Japan last month.

Dung asked Japan to help Vietnam effectively implement large-scale infrastructure projects, including those to build the North-South Highway and North-South Railway Line, the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park; and improve urban transport infrastructure in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnam will do its utmost to effectively implement Japanese-funded ODA projects and will work closely with Japan to combat corruption, he added.

For his part, Aso told Dung that the Japanese Diet or parliament has begun to discuss the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA) for approval.

The two sides agreed to set up a forum for talks and the exchange of information on Vietnam’s economic regulations to provide the Japanese government with data to recognize Vietnam as a market economy.

They also agreed to work together on organizing activities for the 2009 Mekong-Japan Exchange Year 2009, including the Japanese Festival in Hoi An and the Mekong-Japan Cultural and Tourism Days in southern Can Tho City.

They stressed the need to enhance cooperation between both countries at international and regional forums.

Earlier Friday, Dung met with Chairman of Japan’s House of Representatives Yohei Kono and President of the House of Councillors Satsuki Eda.

He also received former Japanese premier Shinzo Abe, leaders of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, the Japan External Trade Organization, President of Nuclear Energy Forum Hattori Takya, economist Yukio Okamoto, Japan’s Special Ambassador to Vietnam Sugi Ryotaro and Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians League Chairman Tsutomu Takebe.

Source: VOV, VNA