(VOVworld)- Talks were held between Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Tokyo on Saturday after a welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese guests.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe (Photo: VGP)

The two leaders discussed specific measures to make the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership more comprehensive, pragmatic and effective. Both PMs stressed the need boost political trust by maintaining regular exchanges of high-ranking delegations and meetings on the sideline of international forums. They shared the same view on enhancing the efficiency of bilateral dialogue mechanisms and defence and security cooperation, including UN peacekeeping missions. They agreed to boost Japan’s investment in Vietnam via the implementation of Phase 4 of the 2016 Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative. Vietnam and Japan pledged close cooperation in implementing Vietnam’s Industrialisation Strategy within the framework of the Vietnam-Japan cooperation until 2020 with a vision to 2030. The two sides discussed ways to promote the cooperation in trade and hi-tech agriculture, and create conditions for each other’s agri-products to enter the other’s market. They also reached agreement on enhancing cooperation in health, the training of human resources, Japan’s reception of Vietnamese trainees, the Vietnam-Japan University project, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

PM Shinzo Abe pledged continued ODA for Vietnam and announced a non-refundable aid worth 2.5 million USD to help Vietnam fight drought and salt water intrusion.

Discussing international and regional issue of mutual concerns, Prime Minister Abe expressed his deep concern on recent East Sea situation, especially construction of artificial islands. Both sides stressed on the importance of ensuring peace, security, safety and freedom of maritime and aviation in the East Sea. They said disputes should be settled by peaceful measures on the basis of respect for diplomatic and legal procedures, adherence to international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). They called for efforts to promptly devise a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.

After the talks, the two PM witnessed the exchange of 5 already-signed documents. These are 4 documents on ODA loans worth 1.5 billion USD and a contract on stock purchase between the Vietnam Airlines and Japan’s ANA Holdings Inc.

Later on, Prime Minister Phuc and Abe briefed the media on the outcomes of their talks. The same day, Mr. Phuc received leaders of Japanese organizations and companies, including Shinichi Kitaoka, President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).