Hanoi (VNA) – President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse chaired a welcomeceremony in Hanoi on March 1 for Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michikowho arrived in Vietnam on February 28 for their six-day State visit.

Duringa meeting held following the ceremony, President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse warmlywelcomed the Emperor and Empress on their first ever State visit to Vietnam,describing the visit as a historical event in the history of Vietnam-Japanrelations.

Theyexpressed their belief that the visit will contribute to strengthening mutualtrust and understanding between the two people as well as their sentiments towardseach other, thus further expanding the extensive strategic partnership betweenVietnam and Japan.

PresidentTran Dai Quang thanked the warm sentiments that the Japanese Emperor andEmpress, the Royal Family as well as the Japanese Government and people havegiven to Vietnam over the past years.

EmperorAkihito and Empress Michiko showed their delight at their first-ever visit toVietnam and thanked the Vietnamese side for its warm welcome.

Thetwo sides reviewed the bilateral long-standing relations, which began from theeighth century when Vietnamese Great Master Phat Triet came to Nara – Japan’scapital then – to perform Buddhism and cultural exchange activities, and Japanesetraders cruised to Hoi An port of Vietnam in the 16th-17th century.

Theyexpressed pleasure at the rapid and sound progresses in Vietnam-Japan tiesduring the past nearly 45 years, while sharing the common hope of furtherbolstering the friendship and cooperation between the two countries in thefuture.

EmperorAkihito asserted that the historical exchange laid down an important foundationfor the two sides to boost their partnership for the respective development aswell as the growth of the Vietnam-Japan friendship.

Atthe meeting, President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse introduced the Japaneseguests to the diversity and unique identity of the Vietnamese culture, whichhad absorbed world cultural quintessence.

Theysaid they wish to welcome more members of the Japanese Royal Family in 2018when the two countries celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomaticties.

TheEmperor and Empress of Japan are noble symbols of the nation and the solidarityof Japanese people. They only make visit abroad on the occasion of specialcommemorative events with partners sharing close relations with Japan.

EmperorAkihito, who has long shown his warm sentiments towards Vietnam, has been supportingRoyal Family members to strengthen exchanges with Vietnam.

Vietnam and Japan have enjoyed the best friendship ever. They have builtpolitical trust and stepped up cooperation at regional and internationalforums.

Alsoon March 1, Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko laid a wreath and paid tributeto late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Hanoi.-VNA