National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ presents a gift to President of Japan’s House of Councillors Santo Akiko as the two met on the sidelines of fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (WCSP5) in Vienna. — VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn

VIENNA — National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ met with President of Japan’s House of Councillors Santo Akiko in Vienna on Tuesday as part of his trip to Austria to attend the fifth World Conference of Speakers of Parliament (WCSP5).

The two sides noted with pleasure the fruitful development of the Việt Nam-Japan extensive strategic partnership in areas such as diplomacy, economy, trade and investment.

They shared the view that exchanges through the parliamentary channel have been enhanced, contributing to intensifying political trust, people-to-people exchanges and coordination between the two countries at regional and international forums.

During the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, the two countries have provided each other with valuable and timely support, they said.

Huệ thanked Japan for its provision of nearly 3 million doses of vaccines for Việt Nam, saying this is a noble gesture amid the complex development of the pandemic.

The Vietnamese top legislator also called on Japan to further help Việt Nam with medical supplies and unused COVID-19 vaccines, and consider cooperation in the production of COVID-19 vaccines and drugs.

Santo thanked Việt Nam for presenting medical masks to Japan earlier last year, and described the gifts as a demonstration of the fine relations between the two countries.

The two leaders affirmed Việt Nam and Japan will continue to support each other in pandemic containment and post-pandemic recovery, boost collaboration between legislative agencies and carry forward the role of friendship parliamentarians’ groups to promote cooperation initiatives.

Santo said she hoped for more activities to step up cooperation and exchanges between people of the two countries, especially the young.

Huệ asked that Japan pay more attention and care to the Vietnamese community in the country and encourage Japanese firms to increase their investments in Việt Nam, towards recovery and development in the “new normal”.

The two sides consented to exchange official visits when conditions permit. — VNS