Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, laid out a warm welcome for Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba on July 14 at the CPV Party Central Committee Headquarters, on his visit to attend the 4th meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, laid out a warm welcome for Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba on July 14 at the CPV Party Central Committee Headquarters, on his visit to attend the 4th meeting of the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee.

At the meeting, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong expressed his satisfaction over the cooperation and friendship between the two countries that has been actively developing with fruitful results.

The General Secretary proposed that the two countries closely cooperate to organize “Year of Vietnam-Japan Friendship” in 2013 to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

On the same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung had a meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Koichiro Gemba in Hanoi.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung suggested the two governments promote greater cooperation on projects that the two parties have agreed upon such as the Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant; the development of an industry to exploit rare earth in Vietnam; and the construction of the Lach Huyen Port.

Minister Koichiro Gemba also expressed his opinion that Japan was in favor of security and maritime safety in the East Sea, and related parties must settle disputes through peaceful negotiations based on international law, particularly the Law on Sea and UN Convention of 1982.

On the same day, Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh held talks with Minister Koichiro Gemba. The two ministers also co-chaired the Coordinating Committee meeting of Vietnam and Japan.

At the talks, the two sides agreed to further strengthen high-level exchanges and cooperation in the field of defense and security at sea.

“Japan continues to be commitment to supplying ODA to complete projects of infrastructure construction in Vietnam”, said Mr. Gemba.

Minister Koichiro Gemba said that Japan has pledged to continue helping Vietnam to support infrastructure development and cope with climate change; and promote trade and bilateral investment via the implementation of Economic Partnership Agreement between the two countries