Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong had a meeting with Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Chairman Kazuo Shii in Tokyo on September 17, during which he highlighted the solidarity and traditional friendship between the two parties. The Vietnamese Party leader suggested the two sides increase the sharing of experience and information, boost bilateral cooperation and effectively coordinate with each other at regional and international forums as well as multilateral activities, thus practically contributing to international communist and worker movements for peace, stability and development in the region and the world at large. The Vietnamese Party and State will persistently pursue its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, development, diversification and multilateralisation of relations, and active international integration, he affirmed. The guest used the occasion to express his gratitude to the JCP’s support for Vietnam through different periods of time as well as its contributions to the bilateral ties. Echoing General Secretary Trong’s views, Kazuo Shii said the diverse cooperation activities between the two parties, especially theoretical exchanges, have significantly contributed to finalising each side’s theoretical system. The JCP will continuously back and work more for the relationship between the two countries, he affirmed. Discussing the complicated developments of the regional situation, both shared views that disputes should be settled by peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). The parties concerned need to seriously implement the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and work towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). The same day, Party General Secretary Trong held a reception for Okada Katsuya, President of the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), who promised to strive hard for the pragmatic development of the extensive strategic partnership between the two countries. The General Secretary said that the Vietnamese Party and State always treasure ties with Japan and consider the country a leading important and long-term partner, adding that Vietnam wishes to work together with Japan to deepen their fruitful relationship. He hailed the DPJ’s parliamentarians for their contributions to the relations between the two nations and legislatures, especially via the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group. He noted his belief that the DPJ will make more contributions to elevating to Vietnam-Japan ties. Okada Katsuya showed his eagerness to move cooperation outcomes between the two parties forward. On this occasion, the DPJ leader and his guest witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two parties, which was considered an important development in the bilateral collaboration. At a meeting with representatives of the Japan Business Federation (KEIDANREN) the same day, Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong praised the federation’s 20-year company with Vietnam , which he said has greatly contributed to the economic-trade-investment and official development assistance (ODA) collaboration between the two countries. He described economic relations as the foundation and momentum for the Vietnam-Japan relationship, which is at its best ever. The Party chief also stressed the important role played by KEIDANREN in elevating Japan ’s position as the largest ODA donor, the second largest foreign direct investor and the fourth largest trade partner of Vietnam . Pointing to substantial potential for affiliations between the two countries, General Secretary Trong explained that Vietnam has negotiated a range of free trade agreements with countries and regions worldwide which are expected to open up a lot of opportunities for both Vietnamese and Japanese businesses. He expressed his hope that KEIDANREN will carry forward outcomes the federation has reaped over the past years and contribute more to strengthening the two countries’ intensive and extensive cooperation. KEIDANREN Vice Chairman Hitoshi Ogita said with a population of 90 million, Vietnam has emerged as an attractive consumption market and an important gateway to the ASEAN market. The country has also appeared as a strategic market for Japanese firms to put forth their development strategies in the supply chain looking towards the ASEAN Community scheduled to be formed at the end of this year, he said. KEIDANREN will continue backing economic ties between the two countries and actively engage in dialogues and policy consultations to help Vietnam improve the investment environment and develop human resources, he pledged.-VNA