Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc (right) receives the Japanese ambassador to Việt Nam Yamada Takio in Hà Nội on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

HÀ NỘI — Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said Việt Nam always considers Japan a top priority partner and seeks to deepen the two countries’ extensive strategic partnership.

He made the remarks during Tuesday's reception for the newly accredited Japanese ambassador to Việt Nam, Yamada Takio, in Hà Nội.

The Government leader said against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic that triggered border closures and economic shutdowns across the world, the two countries had still managed to maintain exchanges within both bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

PM Phúc has had telephone conversations with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe, while the two countries’ relevant agencies have shared information regarding the pandemic as well as exchanged experience in combating COVID-19.

PM Phúc highly valued the achievements of the Japanese Government and people during the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.

He also informed the Japanese diplomat of the robust measures that Việt Nam has taken against the virus, which resulted in nearly two months of no new domestic transmission infections, allowing the country to restart the economy in the “new normal.”

With the health crisis under control, Japan and Việt Nam need to further promote cooperation in the post-COVID-19 period.

"Despite the existing ban on nearly all foreign entries, Việt Nam always welcomes Japanese investors and experts to the country, as long as appropriate COVID-19 prevention and control measures are taken," PM Phúc said.

Việt Nam would also be prepared to send its trainees to Japan, specifically Tokyo, as per the agreements between the two sides, he said.

PM Phúc said Việt Nam’s National Assembly on Monday ratified the landmark Europe-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), stressing that the country was expecting to attract high-quality foreign investment to boost its economy.

PM Phúc asked that the Japanese ambassador would facilitate Japan’s investment into Việt Nam, especially in sectors such as high-tech agriculture, processing industries, supporting industries, and technology transfer in a bid to help drive up the country’s limited labour productivity, so that Japan could again secure the leading position among the foreign investors in Việt Nam.

Việt Nam would continue to improve its investment and business environment and create the best conditions for Japanese businesses, PM Phúc said, adding that the Government would make sure to not let COVID-19 hinder economic ties.

The Vietnamese Government leader also expressed hope that Japan would continue to provide Official Development Assistance to Việt Nam, support Việt Nam in training highly skilled workers and implementing administrative reforms and e-Government.

PM Phúc asked that the two countries continue cooperating at regional and world forums, requesting Japan to support Việt Nam’s stance on East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea) issues.

Japanese ambassador Yamada Takio congratulated Việt Nam for its successes against COVID-19 and thanked the Vietnamese Government for having actively facilitated bringing Japanese experts to the country amid border closures.

He expected that Việt Nam would continue to relax restrictions against Japanese experts, adding that the two countries have a lot of cooperation potential in labour issues.

The same day, the Japanese ambassador had talks with Chairman of Hà Nội People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung.

Chung thanked the Japanese Government for having provided the city with funding to implement key infrastructure projects and develop its economy. The official also pledged to support foreign enterprises, including Japanese ones, in the city to recover production and businesses to pre-COVID-19 levels.

Yamada Takio stressed that the relationship between Japan and Hà Nội is “very special,” and that Japanese businesses are interested in Hà Nội and Việt Nam when the world is looking to diversifying supply chains. — VNS