(VOVworld) - Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung held meetings with his Chinese and Japanese counterparts on Thursday on the sidelines of the 10th Asian-Europe Summit. In his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, PM Nguyen Tan Dung said Vietnam treasures its traditional friendship with China and wishes to foster the two countries’ comprehensive cooperation in a healthy and stable manner. He suggested both sides maintain high-level visits and meetings to improve trust and establish mutually beneficial collaboration in all fields, adding that they should settle differences arising in their relations properly and organize the 7th meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Chinese counterpart Li Keqiang

The leaders agreed to implement three working groups on cooperation on infrastructure, construction, and currency, and discuss their affiliation for joint development at sea within the framework of governmental delegations on border and territorial matters. Regarding the East Sea, PM Nguyen Tan Dung emphasized his request for both sides to maintain control of the maritime situation, avoid actions that escalate tensions, foster negotiation mechanisms, honor previous agreement on the basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, respect international law, and jointly maintain regional and international peace and stability. 

Premier Li Keqiang said China continuously upholds friendly neighborliness and mutually beneficial cooperation with Vietnam, adding that his country wants to resolve conflicts arising in their relations satisfactorily so as to strengthen bilateral ties in a healthy and stable manner. 

He responded positively to PM Dung’s proposal to bolster relations between the two Parties and States. 

In a separate meeting, PM Dung and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe exchanged views on ways to deepen the two countries’ strategic partnership, which was established in March, 2014, and agreed on the importance of regular high-level visits. 

The Japanese PM said Japan will continue to support Vietnam’s socio-economic development by providing official development assistance at a high level and helping to improve the capacity of law-enforcement forces at sea.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe

Both sides agreed to continue working closely together to implement key economic projects, boost agriculture, and develop support industries in Vietnam. 

PM Dung pledged the best possible conditions for Japanese firms to invest in Vietnam, including realization of the joint initiative on improving Vietnam’s investment climate. 

The leaders exchanged views on regional and international issues and agreed to cooperate in multilateral forums toward peace, stability, maritime security, safety, and freedom in line with international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

They also agreed to actively contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development throughout the world.