Top Vietnamese, Japanese legislators hold talks

The Vietnamese leader hailed the visit, saying that it will contribute to fostering the relationship between the two countries and the two legislatures in particular.

She affirmed that enhancing ties with Japan is one of the priorities in Vietnam's foreign policy, noting the regular visits and meetings by all-level officials and parliamentarian groups as well as people-to-people exchanges over the past time. Especially, the first Vietnam visit by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko in February 2017 and the other by Prime Minister Shinzo Abe one month earlier have created a momentum for promoting the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

NA Chairwoman Ngan suggested the two sides closely coordinate in organising activities to mark the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2018.

Appreciating the two countries' determination to double their 2016 trade of US$30 billion by 2020, she stated that Japan has become Vietnam's leading important economic partner as it is the largest official development assistance (ODA) provider, the second biggest investor with 3,355 valid direct investment projects worth US$42.49 billion, and the fourth largest bilateral trade partner.

At present, more than 1,600 Japanese businesses are investing in Vietnam.

According to the top legislator, the two sides have carried out a number of large-scale projects in the fields of infrastructure and energy in Vietnam. The Japanese hallmarks have been seen in many infrastructure facilities such as roads, seaports, airports, hospitals and schools.

The completed projects have played an important role in Vietnam's socio-economic development, culture and tourism, she stressed.

She noted that in the coming time, Vietnam encourages Japan's major corporations to get involved in the restructuring of State-owned enterprises as well as the banking system under the form of public-private partnership (PPP).

Expressing her thanks to Japan for assisting Vietnam in overcoming war consequences, the NA Chairwoman wished Japan to provide non-refundable ODA for Vietnam to implement a joint project on dioxin treatment at the Bien Hoa Airport.

Vietnam also hopes to further cooperation with Japan in high technology, support industry and agriculture, especially in climate change response, she added.

On this occasion, Ngan suggested the Japanese House of Representatives and Speaker Oshima Tadamori facilitate the activities of the Vietnamese community in Japan, thus contributing to the socio-economic development in each country as well as bridging the Vietnam-Japan friendship.

For his part, Speaker Oshima Tadamori affirmed his wish that the two sides continue increasing collaboration between their legislative bodies as well as exchanges between friendship parliamentarians' groups. He also suggested both sides further step up relations in politics and economy.

Numerous Japanese businesses have invested in Vietnam, he said, adding that many others also show their wish to do business in the country in the coming time.

Speaker Tadamori agreed with Chairwoman Ngan about the need to boost labour cooperation in which Japan should increase the number of Vietnamese apprentices it receives in the fields of agriculture, fisheries and construction on the basis of Japan's new law, which will take effect in November 2017.

Japan will provide fabourable conditions for foreign workers to study and work in the country, he said, adding that the new law on this field will help enhance people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

In terms of trade ties, he asked the countries to implement regulations in global trade agreements, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and hoped that they will continue discussion to promote this trade pact.

At the talks, both sides highly valued cooperation between the two parliaments, friendship parliamentary groups, and parliamentarians of Vietnam and Japan. They voiced their hope that mutual visits and meetings between parliamentary leaders will be maintained while cooperation, dialogue and opinion and experience sharing between legislative agencies should be fostered.

The House of Representatives of Japan supports the realisation of the countries' high-level agreements, Tadamori affirmed, asking the two parliaments to step up supervising the implementation of joint programmes and projects between the Vietnamese and Japanese Governments, ministries and sectors.

Speaker Tadamori and Chairwoman Ngan appreciated the two friendship parliamentary groups' efforts to promote the establishment of the Vietnam-Japan University, which has recorded good initial activities.

They noted with satisfaction that in 2016, nearly 700,000 Japanese tourists visited Vietnam while more than 200,000 Vietnamese people chose Japan as their holiday destination. They said the two sides will encourage their tourists to visit each other's nations in the time ahead.

Japan also wants to cooperate with Vietnam in culture and sports, Tadamori said, adding that his country will host an international film festival in the near future and looks forward to Vietnam's participation in this event.

At the talks, the legislators also exchanged views on some regional and international issues of shared concern, including the East Sea issue. They emphasised the need to maintain peace, stability, safety, security and freedom of navigation and over-flight in and above the East Sea, peacefully settle disputes, respect diplomatic and legal processes, and adhere to international law.

On this occasion, Chairwoman Ngan invited representatives of the National Diet of Japan to participate in the IPU symposium on climate change, which will be hosted by the Vietnamese National Assembly in Ho Chi Minh City from May 11-13.

Prior to the talks, Speaker Tadamori paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum and laid a wreath at the Monuments to Heroes and Martyrs in Hanoi.

Later the same day, Chairwoman Ngan hosted a banquet in honour of the Speaker of Japan's House of Representatives and his spouse.

(Source: NDO)