Tokyo (VNA) –Vietnam always views Japan as an important and long-term strategic partner, andstands ready to develop the bilateral ties to a stronger and more comprehensiveand practical fashion on the basis of its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance,multilateralism and diversification, a senior Vietnamese Party official has said.

Politburo member, permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)Central Committee’s Secretariat and Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’sOrganisation Commission Truong Thi Mai made the statement while meeting withhigh-ranking Japanese leaders in Tokyo on April 2. Those included President ofthe Liberal Democratic Party and Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, President ofHouse of Councillors Otsuji Hidehisa, and President of the National Diet NukagaFukushiro.

Mai also had discussions with Chairman of the Presidium of the Japanese CommunistParty Central Committee Shii Kazuo and Chairman of the Japan – Vietnam ParliamentarianFriendship Alliance Nikai Toshihiro, and received Governor of Yamanashiprefecture Kotaro Nagasaki.

She conveyed Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s greetings to theJapanese leaders, and congratulated Japan on its achievements in various fields overthe past time.

Speaking highly of the robust development of the Vietnam – Japan relations,which were upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace andProsperity in Asia, she suggested both sides proactively concretise the signedagreements and the common perceptions reached by leaders of the two countriesin the areas of politics, defence-security cooperation and people-to-people exchange.

PM Kishida and other Japanese leaders congratulated Vietnam on its achievementsduring the Doi moi (Renewal) process as well as those carved out in recent yearsunder the leadership of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.

They affirmed that Vietnam is an important strategic partner of Japan in theregion, stressing they are willing to support and accompany Vietnam for a countryof independence, self-reliance and development with its industrialisation,modernisation and comprehensive and intensive international integration.

The two sides agreed to continue enhancing political trust and mutual understandingthrough regular contacts at all levels, promoting the efficiency of cooperationmechanisms and dialogues through various channels such as Party, Government,parliament, and localities.

Vietnam and Japan will also work together to boost cooperation ineconomy-trade, investment and other practical areas, making them on par withthe potential and development demand in each country. Japan will continue itssupport for Vietnam to roll out key development programmes, including greentransition, digital transition and climate change response, create favourableconditions for Vietnam to access and use new-generation ODA and better engagein Japanese firms’ global supply chains.

The Japanese leaders recognised the contributions made by Vietnamese nationalsto the host nation’s development, and informed plans to facilitate conditionsfor Vietnamese workers in the coming time.

On the occasion, the two sides discussed international and regional issues ofmutual concerns, and affirmed the principle of respect for international lawsand UN Charter to handle disagreements and disputes. They also shared theirwish to step up the Vietnam – Japan relations and ASEAN – Japan ties as a wholefor peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Mai and the CPV high-ranking delegation will leave for Hanoi on April 3./.