(VOVworld) - NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung held talks with Japan’s Upper House Chair Hirata Kenji in Tokyo on Wednesday during his official visit to the country. In his address, the Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman stressed his visit aimed to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries and the bilateral cooperation between the two legislative bodies. Mr. Hung urged the two countries to cooperate to successfully organize the Vietnam-Japan Friendship year on the occasion of the 40^th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties. Chairman Hung noted the Vietnamese National Assembly, government and people hoped to deepen the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Japan considering it a priority of the country’s foreign policy. The National Assembly Chairman proposed that the two countries increase visits and exchanges, especially among senior leaders, and parliamentarians. Mr. Hung thanked the Japanese government and people for continuing granting ODA for Vietnam saying that Vietnam is committed to effectively utilizing the funding.

Chairman Hirata Kenji said the promotion of cooperation with Vietnam would help expand Japan’s relations with other countries in East Asia for peace, friendship and development. The Japanese Chairman reiterated that Japan will continue increase ODA funding for Vietnam and express his hope that Vietnam will effectively use this resource. He proposed the Vietnamese National Assembly and government to further improve the business environment to facilitate the two countries’ investors.

Earlier, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung visited the Vietnamese embassy and representatives of overseas Vietnamese in Japan. He said the Vietnamese Party and State always pay special attention to Overseas Vietnamese and facilitate them to integrate into their countries of residence, stabilize their lives and promote their national culture.