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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and former Special Ambassador for Vietnam-Japan Sugi Ryotaro__ Photo: VNA |
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted separate receptions for former Special Ambassador for Vietnam-Japan Sugi Ryotaro and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Maeda Tadashi in Tokyo on December 18 as part of his trip to Japan for the Commemorative Summit for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, and bilateral activities.
Highlighting progress in the Vietnam-Japan relationship since the establishment of the bilateral diplomatic ties 50 years ago, the PM thanked Sugi for his sentiments and contributions to the relations, helping create a firm foundation to consolidate the close, sustainable friendship between the two countries’ people.
Chinh emphasized the success of many exchange activities in new fields held with the coordination of Sugi such as the Vietnam-Japan martial arts exchange program within the framework of the official visit to Japan by President Vo Van Thuong and the Vietnam-Japan art exchange program which took place earlier this month in Hanoi, and affirmed that such activities have helped enhance mutual understanding and close ties between the two peoples.
He suggested the former ambassador raise more initiatives and conduct more practical activities to contribute to the Vietnam-Japan comprehensive strategic partnership, especially in cultural and people-to-people exchanges, and humanitarian aid to disadvantaged Vietnamese children.
Sugi promised to make greater efforts to contribute to promoting the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, including coordination with the Vietnamese Ministry of Health in public health services.
At the reception for Maeda, who is also Special Advisor to the Cabinet of Japan, Chinh appreciated the JBIC Chairman and the bank itself for their cooperation and participation in policy dialogues with Vietnamese ministries and agencies, and their efforts in promoting Japanese investments in Vietnam, especially in infrastructure and energy.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Maeda Tadashi.__Photo: VNA
Lauding Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio's Asian Net Zero Emission Community (AZEC) initiative, Chinh urged Maeda to support the implementation of such mechanisms as the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and AZEC with Vietnam, and help Vietnamese businesses participate more deeply in the global value chain.
He suggested JBIC continue to engage in restructuring the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemicals LLC, especially restructuring loans with lower interest rates.
While in Japan, PM Chinh and Japanese PM Kishida agreed to establish a joint coordination group between the two governments to push ahead with a number of economic projects, including the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemicals LLC.
In reply, Maeda affirmed that Vietnam is the first partner that Japan has given support under the AZEC initiative, noting key international partners strongly back the Japan-Vietnam cooperation.
He pledged to further support and cooperate with the Southeast Asian nation in this field, and that he and the bank will make more efforts to motivate relevant parties, including NEXI Nippon Export and Investment Insurance, in negotiations to restructure and resolve issues relating to the Nghi Son project.-(VNA/VLLF)
