PM Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe hold talks in Tokyo on July 1, 2019.

Mr. Phuc held talks in Tokyo on Monday with his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe who hailed Vietnam’s position, role and achievements on the world stage, as well as its initiatives and active contributions to the recent G20 Summit in Osaka.

The two leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense, security and coordination within the ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus). Vietnam proposed Japan consider the early imports of Vietnamese longans, star apples, and passion fruits while supporting Vietnam to improve the quality of farm produce and develop high-tech agriculture. The Japanese side asked Vietnam to allow for the imports of Japanese oranges. PM Phuc noted that Vietnam will redouble its efforts to create a more transparent, open and favorable investment environment.

PM Abe described the more than 330,000-strong overseas Vietnamese community in Japan as an “invaluable mutual property” of the two countries’ relations. He said that Japan will support Vietnam in training officials, improving vocational training, reforming administrative procedures, building e-government towards a digital government, and coping with climate change.

The two sides agreed to enhance coordination at both regional and international forums and promote relations between Japan and ASEAN and the Mekong River region. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the situation in the East Sea.

PM Phuc and PM Abe also witnessed the signing of six documents, including an agreement on the transfer of sentenced persons, and a diplomatic note on non-refundable aid packages for the Japanese Grant Aid for Human Resource Development Scholarship (JDS).