Hanoi (VNA) – Minister of ForeignAffairs Bui Thanh Son on October 26 suggested the Organisation for EconomicCooperation and Development (OECD) give more policy recommendations to Vietnam,focusing on such areas as global minimum tax, carbon emission reduction,environmental protection, high technology, semiconductor manufacturing, digitaltransformation, and AI.

At a meeting inHanoi with OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, which took place on thesidelines of the OECD – Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum 2023, Son thanked the organisation and the official inparticular for their support and close coordination, which has contributed to thesuccess of the forum as well as the Vietnam Investment Forum – OECD 2023.

The minister expressed his belief that with the theme “Sustainableand Quality Investment: New Momentum for OECD- Southeast Asia Partnership”, theOECD – Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum will help enhance cooperation,especially in investment, between OECD countries and Southeast Asia, towardsthe 10th anniversary of the OECD-run Southeast Asia RegionalProgramme (SEARP) next year.

He also emphasised the importance of implementingthe signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Vietnam and the OECD, andcalled on it to further support the dispatch of Vietnamese coordinators atthe organisation.

For his part, Cormann expressed his impressions on the economic silver linings created by Vietnam for the gloomy world economic picture.

He thanked the country for its close coordination andcongratulated it on the successful organisation of the OECD –Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum for two consecutive years as SEARP co-chair, openingup new cooperation orientations between the OECD and regional countries in the timeahead.

The OECD and its member countries will continue to supportVietnam in implementing sustainable development goals, bringing the cooperationto a new height in a more substantive and effective manner, in association withVietnam’s priorities in emerging areas like digital transformation and greengrowth.  

This is the second time Cormann has visited Vietnamand attended the OECD-Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum since assuming theposition of OECD Secretary General, demonstrating the organisation’s respectfor its cooperation with Vietnam as well as the country's role in promotingcohesion between OECD members and Southeast Asian nations.

The same day, Son hosted a reception for Japanese StateMinister for Foreign Affairs Tsuji Kiyoto who was in Hanoi for the OECD –Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum.

The host rejoiced at the noted development of theVietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership, saying their mutual politicaltrust has been consolidated through regular all-level exchanges.

Recalling the official visit to Vietnam by JapaneseCrown Prince Fumihito Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko last month, he said ithas contributed to fostering sentiments and understanding between the two peoples.

Cooperation between ministries, agencies andlocalities, and people-to-people exchanges have also been intensified andreaped many positive results, he continued, stressing that nearly 500activities have been held to celebrate the 50th anniversary of thebilateral diplomatic ties.

Son suggested Tsuji and the Japanese Ministry ofForeign Affairs closely coordinate to advance the Vietnam-Japan relationship to a new heightby increasing high-level exchanges and contacts; strengthening collaboration betweenministries, agencies and localities; maintaining cooperation in economy,investment and official development assistance (ODA); and beefing uppartnerships in new fields like green transition, digital transformation andemission reduction.

Appreciating Japan’s granting of electronic visas toVietnamese tourist groups, he suggested the country further streamline visaprocedures for Vietnamese citizens, thus contributing to boostingpeople-to-people exchange and tourism cooperation between the two countries.

Tsuji affirmed that high-level visits and thecelebration of the bilateral diplomatic ties have created new momentum for the twocountries to promote their friendship.

Vietnam’s stability and development is significantto the region and Japan, the official said, pledging that Japan will maintain its supportto the Southeast Asian nation in industrialisation and modernisation, andcreate favourable conditions for the 500,000-strong Vietnamese community tolive, study and work there.

Both agreed to reinforce cooperation between the twocountries at multilateral forums like the OECD and ASEAN.

Tsuji spoke highly of cooperation between Vietnamand the OECD, along with Vietnam's initiatives and efforts as SEARP co-chair,and wished that the country will carry forward its role in forgingthe ASEAN - Japan cooperation in the coming time./.