Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (r) receives President of the Japan-Mekong Parliamentary Friendship Association Ryu Shionoya in Hà Nội on Friday.— VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc received President of the Japan-Mekong Parliamentary Friendship Association Ryu Shionoya in Hà Nội on Friday, asking him to encourage Japan to enhance ties with Việt Nam.

He says this will help the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries to develop sustainable. 

Welcoming his guest’s working trip to Việt Nam, PM Phúc said the friendship and cooperation between Việt Nam and Japan are developing strongly in all aspects, including the growing political trust between their leaders.

He also spoke highly of Japan’s role in stepping up cooperation activities within the framework of the GMS.

Shionoya shared the PM’s view on the comprehensive and strong expansion of Việt Nam-Japan relations.

He emphasised the importance of Japan-Mekong cooperation, adding that his country is ready to cooperate with GMS nations for the sake of common interest and prosperity.

He added that Japan will host the upcoming Mekong-Japan Summit, which will help boost sustainable development in the region and across the world.

Approximately 1,700 Japanese businesses are currently investing in various fields in Việt Nam, including infrastructure, energy and education, he said, voicing his hope that the two sides will enhance all-round cooperation so as to promote sustainable development in Việt Nam, especially in trade and investment.

Shionoya asked the PM to pay special attention to the Việt Nam-Japan University project, including assigning relevant agencies to create more optimal conditions. He also called for more labour cooperation projects, including sending Vietnamese orderlies and caregivers to work in his country.

He thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for supporting Japan in addressing the impact of recent floods.

At the meeting, PM Phúc sent sympathies to the Japanese Government and people on the recent consecutive natural disasters. He stressed that the two countries not only share joy in development achievements, but are also ready to assist each other to deal with any difficulties and challenges that arise.

The host asked Japan to intensify bilateral affiliation in developing infrastructure, industries and value chains; training human resources; protecting the environment; managing and sustainably using the Mekong River’s water resources; and coping with natural disasters and epidemics. 

He hopes these partnerships will help the GMS countries to develop ways to narrow the development gap, and strengthen connectivity both within the GMS and between the GMS and other regions around the world.

The Vietnamese leader also appreciated the contributions by Shionoya and the Japan-Mekong Parliamentary Friendship Association towards increasing people-to-people exchange between the GMS countries and Japan in the past.

He promised to provide more favourable conditions for the Việt Nam-Japan University project so as to improve bilateral cooperation in education and training, thus helping to deepen mutual understanding between the two countries’ people. — VNS