ĐÀ NẴNG — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh held separate meetings with Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono and Director of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Philipp Roesler in the central city of Đà Nẵng on Tuesday within the framework of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week. 
In the meeting with the Japanese FM, the two officials expressed their delight at the fast and practical development of the Việt Nam–Japan strategic partnership over the past years, pledging to co-ordinate closely together to successfully organise the activities to mark the 45th founding anniversary of Việt Nam–Japan diplomatic ties in 2018. 
Minh thanked the Government of Japan for providing urgent aid for Vietnamese people affected by floods and erosions in the northern region in October and recent storm Damrey. 
For his part, Kono said Japan considered Việt Nam an important partner while implementing its foreign policy in the region, affirming that the country would strongly support Việt Nam’s development in the coming time, including the continued provision of official development assistance (ODA) and co-operation in building high quality infrastructure projects. 
The two officials exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea-related matters, and agreed to strengthen cooperation at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations, ASEAN, APEC and ASEM. 
Kono spoke highly of Việt Nam’s efforts, initiatives and active role in hosting the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week and APEC 2017 Year, reiterating that Japan would work closely with Việt Nam to ensure the success of the week, thus enhancing the role and position of APEC for peace and prosperity in the region and the world. 
At the reception for WEF Director Philipp Roesler, Minh highly appreciated the support of the WEF and the director’s attendance at the Việt Nam Business Summit and related meetings of the APEC 2017 Economic Leaders’ Week, as well as the co-ordination between the two sides in implementing their joint agreements. 
Roesler said the forum was willing to share its experience, offer consultancy and help Việt Nam connect with its members. — VNS