Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese National Assembly(NA) backs major cooperation orientations between Vietnam and Japan in the timeahead in order to deepen the extensive strategic partnership between the twocountries, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan affirmed on October 19.

At a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide, who is on a three-day official visit to Vietnam, Ngan expressed her hope that thetwo sides will carry forward their cooperation achievements.

The top legislator said she believes thatunder the sound leadership of PM Suga, Japan will grow stronger, significantly contributingto peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

PM Suga’s Vietnam visit would be a success and open upa new development period for the bilateral friendship and cooperation, the hostleader believed.

In reply, PM Suga rejoiced at exchanges betweenparliamentarians of the two countries, and affirmed that Japan wishes to joinhands with Vietnam to step up the links.

He lauded Ngan’s role as Chair of the 41st GeneralAssembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 41) which was held onlinelast month successfully amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, saying the AIPA 41 hasremarkably contributed to enhancing solidarity between ASEAN parliamentarians.

Suga used the occasion to thank the Vietnamese legislaturefor presenting 20,000 face masks to Japan, which, he said, have been used atJapanese medical facilities.

Expressing her pleasure at the fruitful development ofcooperation between Vietnam and Japan, Chairwoman Ngan said the VietnameseNA attaches due attention and actively contributes to promoting the bilateralextensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.

The Vietnamese and Japanese governments are joiningnegotiations for the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)agreement, and the Vietnamese legislature will soon consider and approve the deal once itsnegotiations and signing are completed, she pledged.

Ngan asked the PM to convey her thanks to the JapaneseNational Diet for its active contributions to the AIPA 41.

She also suggested the two governments continue toeffectively implement the existing cooperation mechanisms and cooperate to soonconclude the RCEP this year.

The top legislator proposed Japan step up cultural exchanges,cooperation between localities and high-quality personnel developmentcollaboration by receiving Vietnamese trainees.

She thanked Japan for its support for Vietnam in theCOVID-19 combat, and suggested closer coordination between the two countries inthe fight and the recovery of travelling and cooperation activities.

At the meeting, Ngan affirmed that the Vietnamese NAstands ready to listen to opinions of Japanese firms to complete the domesticlegal system in order to materialise Vietnam’s commitments to free tradeagreements to which both Vietnam and Japan are signatories.

She suggested the Japanese PM facilitate mutual visitsand exchanges at all levels, and affirmed that the Vietnamese legislature will continuecoordination with its Japanese counterpart to enhance exchanges betweenparliamentarians’ groups and NA agencies.

The leaders shared their view on the significance ofensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation andaviation in the East Sea, and peacefully settling disputes in line withinternational law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea./.