Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives visiting former Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide in Hanoi, January 9, 2023. (Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac)

At a reception for visiting former Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide on Monday, PM Chinh praised Mr. Suga’s choosing of Vietnam as the destination for his first trip abroad in October 2020 right after he took office as the PM of Japan, as well as his role as advisor for the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance.

Both sides agreed that the Vietnam-Japan relationship is in its prime with high political efficiency and regular delegation exchanges even during the height of COVID-19. Last year, the Vietnamese and Japanese PMs held four meetings, while progress was seen in many agreements.

The two countries will celebrate 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2023, which is an important milestone marking a new development period for their intensive strategic partnership, they said.

PM Chinh said he hopes that former PM Suga will continue his support and contributions to the growth of the Vietnam-Japan ties. He stressed the need for the two sides to strengthen people-to-people exchange and cooperation in tourism as well as the organisation of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of bilateral ties in 2023.

Mr. Suga said that Japan considers Vietnam a key partner in its free and open Indo-Pacific strategy, and pledged that he will continue to contribute to lifting the bilateral partnership to new heights.

The two sides also discussed regional and global issues of mutual concern, and underlined the necessity of upholding the law and multilateralism in international relations for peace, stability and cooperation in the region and the world, as well as ensuring peace, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the sea, and the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law.