(VOVworld) – Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met with President of the Japanese House of Councilors Yamazaki Masaaki in Hanoi on Tuesday. He said he hopes the 2 Houses of Japan’s Parliament will strengthen cooperation with Vietnam’s National Assembly and its people. He called for increased bilateral collaboration in politics, diplomacy, defense, and security and at global forums. Prime Minister Dung urged Japan to maintain its ODA at a high level for Vietnam and continue to support the Vietnamese community in Japan. He said he hopes Mr. Masaaki will do what is necessary to boost the Vietnam-Japan University project so it can begin operations early next year.

Prime Minister Dung said the maintenance of peace and security in the East Sea is vital to all of the countries in the region and the international community as it is an important international transportation route. He reiterated Vietnam’s policy of settling disputes in the East Sea peacefully in line with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea for regional and global peace and stability.

Mr. Masaaki praised Vietnam’s recent achievements including a high growth rate and upgraded infrastructure. He also pledged to contribute to the strategic partnership between the two countries.