Deputy Minister of Foreignn Affairs Nguyễn Quốc Dũng speaks at the seminar on ASEAN-Japan co-operation for prosperity in Hà Nội yesterday.  —  VNA/VNS Photo Hồng Điệp

HÀ NỘI — A seminar on ASEAN-Japan co-operation for prosperity took place in Hà Nội yesterday as part of the 2019 ASEAN-Japan Day in Việt Nam initiative.
Japan became a partner of ASEAN in 1973, and the relationship was elevated to a strategic partnership in 2003. The country is now the bloc's fourth biggest trade partner and second biggest foreign investor. 
In his opening speech at the event, Minister-Head of the Government Office Mai Tiến Dũng said Việt Nam welcomes Japan’s contributions to negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), expressing his hope for further support for the process so the deal will be concluded this year.
Việt Nam hopes for Japanese assistance to build ASEAN member nations’ high-tech capacity and capitalise on the ASEAN–Japan free trade agreement, the official added.
He said suggestions and proposals for specific solutions will help deepen the ASEAN–Japan partnership in line with the new global context to contribute to peace, security and development in the region and all over the world.
Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Norikazu Suzuki expressed his wish for a stronger Japan-Việt Nam relationship to bring peace, growth and stability to the Asia Pacific region.
He said focusing on ASEAN’s prioritised sectors and central role, Japan will continue supporting the bloc’s connectivity process.
Gathering experts from ASEAN and Japanese governments, as well as representatives of the academic and business communities, the seminar revolved around boosting ASEAN-Japan co-operation, high-tech agriculture, smart cities and ageing populations. — VNS