Hanoi (VNA)🧸 –Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed hope that his visit to Japan from May 26-28 will create new impetus to further strengthen the relationship between Vietnam and Japan, in the interests of the two countries’ people, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

In an interview with Japanese news outlets ahead of his trip, the PM said he and his Japanese counterpart PM Shinzo Abe will discuss major orientation and specific measures to foster bilateral ties in various areas, focusing on mutual political trust and cooperation in economy, trade, investment, official development assistance (ODA), support industries, agriculture, natural disaster and climate change response, health care, education-training, science and technology. Since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties 43 years ago, the Vietnam-Japan relationship has made great strides forwards, he said. The bilateral economic partnership is blooming, the PM said, noting that Japan is Vietnam’s leading economic partner with two-way trade exceeding 28 billion USD in 2015. About 2,000 Japanese enterprises are operating in Vietnam, including some of Japan’s biggest companies, with more than 3,000 projects worth a combined 39 billion USD. The two countries are working together in implementing large-scale projects in infrastructure and energy in Vietnam. Their collaboration in education, science-technology and culture as well as people-to-people exchanges is also noteworthy, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc said. Vietnam welcomed nearly 700,000 Japanese visitors in 2015 and nearly 200,000 Vietnamese travelled to Japan the same year. The Government leader attributed the thriving relations to strategic visions set forth by the countries’ leaders as well as their people’s support. The relationship is in line with global trends towards peace, friendship and cooperation for prosperous development, he said. To enhance relations with Japan, Vietnam will focus its efforts on realising an action plan on six industrial sectors prioritised in the country’s industrialisation strategy within the Vietnam-Japan cooperation framework through 2020 with a vision towards 2030, the PM said, calling for more Japanese assistance in the support industry. Vietnam will promote economic links with Japan, aiming to double bilateral trade in 2020 as set in the Joint Statement issued in 2014, the PM said. The leader called on Japan to maintain its ODA to Vietnam, especially in infrastructure building, human resource development, natural disaster and climate change combat, environmental protection, management capacity improvement, economic restructuring and sustainable growth. “We welcome Japan’s Partnership for Quality Infrastructure programme in Asia, an initiative raised by PM Shinzo Abe and hope to become Japan’s priority partner in the programme,” he stated. The PM also pinpointed the need to bolster cooperation in agriculture, science-technology and climate change. Regarding the expanded G7 Summit Japan in which Vietnam will participate for the first time, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc pledged constructive and responsible contributions to the event. Vietnam hopes that participating countries will contribute their voice and take pragmatic actions to consolidate peace and stability, settle regional and global issues, especially those relating to sustainable development, infrastructure, natural disasters and climate change, terrorism, and food, water resource, maritime and aviation security, he said. In reply to queries about Vietnam’s 30-year renewal process, PM Phuc highlighted the significance of the period for the country’s development, affirming that by comprehensive and intensive reforms, the process brought great achievements and breakthroughs to Vietnam. The PM said, from a poor background, Vietnam had become a middle income country with a dynamic economy. Vietnam’s economy recorded impressive growth, at about 7 percent per year from 1991-2015. Per capita income saw strong surges, reaching more than 2,100 USD in 2015 from 200 USD in the beginning of 1990s. The country has also promoted efforts to enhance international integration in line with international rules and standards, he noted. Meanwhile politics and social order has been stable, defence and security have been ensured, and national independence and sovereignty have been safeguarded. Foreign relations and international integration have improved, helping raise Vietnam’s position and prestige in the international arena, he noted. These achievements are important premises for Vietnam to further promote its Doi moi (renewal) process, towards turning the country into a modernisation-oriented industrialized country and gradually narrowing development gaps with countries in the region and the world, the PM stressed. Vietnam will push ahead with its renewal process and maximize the country’s potential and strength, in order to bring prosperity, democracy and justice to all people. The Government and Prime Minister are determined to reform and better their leadership and management towards building an upright government, which will further national construction and development, and best serve the people, the Government leader stated. Work will be intensified to better national mechanisms and policies, ensure justice and transparency, effectively fight corruption and wastefulness, promote administrative reform, improve the investment and business environment and facilitate operation of enterprises and individuals, he added.-VNA