President Trần Đại Quang (Right) receives Japanese Ambassador to Việt Nam Fukada Hiroshi yesterday. — Photo VNA

HÀ NỘI Viet Nam News -— President Trần Đại Quang extended his condolences over the great losses in human lives and assets suffered by the Japanese people in recent consecutive earthquakes in Kumamoto prefecture while receiving Japanese Ambassador to Việt Nam Fukada Hiroshi yesterday.

Quang said he believed that under the Japanese government’s leadership and with the people’s willpower, Japan will live through the consequences and help disaster-hit locals rebuild.

He asked for Japan’s continued assistance in responding to climate change - especially drought and saline intrusion in the central, Central Highlands and southern regions.

Việt Nam treasures its intensive strategic partnership with Japan, and considers Japan its most important partner, he said, adding that the signing of a joint vision statement on Việt Nam-Japan relations showed that the two countries found a common voice in promoting bilateral ties.

Việt Nam decided to send a high-level delegation headed by Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc to Japan to attend the upcoming G7 Summit in May.

President Trần Đại Quang also expressed his hope that Japan would maintain its voice supporting Việt Nam in the East Sea issue.

For his part, Ambassador Hiroshi stressed the significance of the visits paid by the two countries’ leaders for the development of bilateral relations.

Prime Minister Shinzo Abe attaches importance to relations with Việt Nam, reflected through his invitation to his Vietnamese counterpart to attend the G7 Summit. This would offer a chance for the two leaders to discuss goals for the future, he said.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the diplomat affirmed that Japan backs the stance of not addressing disputes unilaterally. He said it was important for the two countries to raise their voice at regional and international forums.

VN-Russian relations 

On the same day Quang hosted a reception for Russian Ambassador to Việt Nam Konstantin Vnukov, assuring his guest that Russia was a high priority in Việt Nam’s diplomatic policy.

He informed the ambassador that Việt Nam is working with Russia to prepare for the ASEAN-Russia Summit to be held in Sochi next month.

In the annual list of tasks to boost the strategic partnership, the president suggested focusing on political, trade, national defence and securities ties, particularly related to oil, gas and nuclear power.

The host urged Vnukov to recommend that the Russian government sign a free trade agreement (FTA) between Việt Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EEU), of which Russia is a member.

On the occasion, he also extended his invitation to Russian President Vladimir Putin to visit Việt Nam.

Vnukov said the Russian parliament stood ready to approve the FTA between Việt Nam and the EEU. – VNS