TOKYO — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc met with Speakers of the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors of the Japanese National Diet in Tokyo on Wednesday as part of his visit to the Northeast Asian nation.

At the meeting, PM Phúc lauded the strong, comprehensive and substantive development of Việt Nam-Japan relations as well as the progress in parliamentary links since their diplomatic ties were set up 45 years ago.

He highlighted the wish to enhance connections in a more comprehensive and profound manner to match the interests and aspirations of the two countries’ people. He also called for stronger co-ordination in regional and international issues of shared concern, thus actively contributing to peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region.

Talking to Speaker of the House of Representatives Tadamori Oshima, the visiting leader asked the lower house to increase meetings at all levels and the exchange of legislative experience between the two parliaments. He also asked the house to bolster co-operation in agriculture, labour (including the reception of more Vietnamese practitioners), locality-to-locality ties, culture and people-to-people exchange.

Oshima highly valued the breakthrough and substantive strides in Việt Nam-Japan ties, noting that the Japanese lower house treasures its bilateral relations and wants to step up the countries’ extensive strategic partnership in all spheres.

He said he respects young Vietnamese people’s sentiments towards Japan, adding that the lower house will listen to public opinions and consider improving entry procedures for Vietnamese citizens. He also voiced his support for young Vietnamese looking to study in Japan and for young Japanese wanting to study in Việt Nam.

Meeting with Speaker of the House of Councillors Chuichi Date, PM Phúc appreciated the upper house’s contributions to mutual co-operation in all fields.

He affirmed that Việt Nam treasures and makes full use of Japan’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) in an effective manner, asking the Japanese parliament to consider providing ODA with more preferential conditions for the country.

The PM also called for the upper house’s enhancement of bilateral ties between localities, as well as in agriculture and labour. He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese and Japanese parliaments will further supervise and promote the two governments’ implementation of the signed agreements, and reinforce coordination at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums.

Date spoke highly of the Vietnamese Government’s performance and the country’s economic and diplomatic achievements. He affirmed that the upper house will strengthen the countries’ extensive and all-around co-operation and support the Japanese Government to continue assisting Việt Nam in socio-economic development.

On this occasion, he also applauded the fruitful contributions by Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Nguyễn Quốc Cường, who has helped drive forward bilateral relations. — VNS