Tokyo (VNA) – Deputy PrimeMinister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Japanese Foreign Minister TaroKono held talks and co-chaired the 11th meeting of the Vietnam-Japan CooperationCommittee on May 30 in Tokyo.

During the events, the two sides agreed toenhance win-win cooperation between the two economies through expanding connectionin investment, trade, industry, energy, and agriculture.

They reached a consensus on promoting cooperation in receiving Vietnameseworkers and trainees, as well as in the strict handling of establishments thatare sending and receiving labourers and overseas students who violate laws ofboth Vietnam and Japan. They agreed to push for the early signing of anagreement on the transfer of convicted persons.

Deputy PM and FM Minh asked the Japaneseside to simplify procedures to grant visas for Vietnamese citizens to enterJapan.

The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination at international and regionalforums, promote international economic links, including the effectiveimplementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

During the meeting, the two sides reviewed the results achieved sincethe 10th meeting of the VJCC, noting the signing of a series of cooperationagreements on supporting Vietnam in developing agricultural value chains, implementingmarine and oceanic policies, fire fighting, and cooperation orientations forthe defence industry.

They discussed measures to promote the implementation of agreements reached byhigh-ranking leaders of the two countries, towards making the Vietnam-Japan intensivestrategic partnership more effective and practical.

They agreed to enhance visits of high-ranking leaders of the two nations;maintain and improve the effectiveness of exchange and dialogue mechanisms betweenthe Vietnamese and Japanese governments, ministries, and sectors; and debated measuresto push cooperation in term of official development assistance.

The two sides exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutualconcern, affirming that they will work closely for the success of the G20 OsakaSummit in Japan in June.

In his speech, Minister Kono appreciated Vietnam's determination to innovateand promote administrative reforms to improve the investment environment andfacilitate economic development. He affirmed that Japan will support Vietnam infostering sustainable development, improving competitiveness, and labourproductivity; building e-government, training human resources, and responding toclimate change; and developing telecommunications information.

He also spoke highly the role played byVietnam in the region, especially in the context that Vietnam is the coordinatorof the ASEAN-Japan relations and will be the Chair of ASEAN in 2020. He expressedthe desire to work closely with Vietnam to promote cooperation between Japanand the Southeast Asian region. –VNA