Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong and Vice President of the House of Councillors of Japan Ogawa Toshio agreed to promote parliamentary cooperation between the two countries during their talks in Hanoi on December 18.
Hanoi (VNA) – Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong and VicePresident of the House of Councillors of Japan Ogawa Toshio agreed to promoteparliamentary cooperation between the two countries during their talks in Hanoion December 18.
Ogawa Toshio isleading a delegation of the House of Councillors of Japan on a working visit toVietnam from December 17 – 20.
The NA ViceChairwoman affirmed that Vietnam always considers Japan a trustful partner anda leading economic partner. She cited statistics that showed two-way trade hadreached 36.7 billion USD this year to November. Japan is the largest providerof official development assistance to Vietnam and the second largest foreigninvestor in Vietnam.
According toPhong, Vietnam and Japan have many complementary strengths, hence manyopportunities to boost their cooperation, especially when both of them aremembers of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-PacificPartnership.
She noted thatcooperation between the Vietnamese NA and Japan’s House of Councillors, as wellas between parliamentarians of the two countries has constantly been strengthened.
To further boost thepartnership between the legislative bodies of the two countries, ViceChairwoman Phong proposed that the two sides maintain high-level visits andmeetings, and support the two Governments in implementing signed agreements andcooperative programmes across the fields, while coordinating closely at internationaland regional forums.
She asked the Japaneseside to coordinate with and back Vietnam when the country serves as anon-permanent member of the UN Security Council in 2020-2021, Chair of ASEANand Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in 2020.
The Japanese guesthighlighted that since the establishment of diplomatic relationship in 1973, theVietnam-Japan ties have unceasingly been strengthened and developed in allaspects, from politics to culture and people-to-people exchange. The twocountries have lifted their ties to an extensivestrategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.
Ogawahighly valued Vietnam’s material and spiritual support for Japan in times of naturaldisasters.
He expressed thewish that the two countries will exchange more visits and share experience invarious fields.
The two countriesshould further promote cooperation and exchange between their legislativebodies, friendship parliamentary groups and parliamentarians, he said./.
Japan will provide 432,239 USD in non-refundable aid to five projects in Vietnam under aid contracts signed at the Japanese Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City on December 16.
Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh received the Governor of Tochigi prefecture of Japan in Hanoi on December 17, during which Binh asked the Japanese locality to encourage its businesses to invest in Vietnam.
Vietnam and Japan should boost closer cooperation within their extensive strategic partnership framework for peace and prosperity in Asia, said former Japanese Defence Minister Satoshi Morimoto.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan (MAFF) has sent a letter to the Plant Protection Department of Vietnam’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development saying to open door for Vietnamese “thieu” lychee.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA) 
