Deputy spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Phạm Thu Hằng. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — The Japanese Government has announced its invitation to Vietnamese leaders to the G7 Summit in Hiroshima scheduled for May 20-21, deputy spokeswoman of the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Phạm Thu Hằng has confirmed at the ministry’s regular press conference in Hà Nội on Thursday.

Regarding foreign media’s analysis that Japan’s invitations to Việt Nam and Indonesia to the event shows its appreciation for ties with ASEAN and its desire to upgrade the relationship to a comprehensive partnership, Hằng affirmed that Việt Nam highly valued the strong and substantial progress in ASEAN-Japan relations, making positive contributions to the common goal of peace, security, stability and prosperity.

Việt Nam would welcomes and stay ready to work with ASEAN countries and Japan to promote bilateral relations to a new height, toward celebrating the 50th anniversary of ASEAN-Japan relations in 2023, she noted. — VNS