Vietnam has decided to choose Japan as its cooperative partner for the construction of the country’s second nuclear power plant in the central province of Ninh Thuan.

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Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said during talks with his Japanese counterpart Naoto Kan in Hanoi on Oct. 31 following a welcome ceremony.

PM Dung spoke highly of Japan’s continuous assistance to Vietnam in using nuclear energy for peace.

PM Kan welcomed the Vietnamese government’s decision, affirming that Japan will meet all Vietnam’s requirements relating to the implementation of the nuclear power project, including providing preferential loans, technology transfer, human resource training, cooperation in waste treatment and ensuring a stable supply of materials during the project’s life-time.

The Vietnamese government leader highly valued Japan’s cooperation in the mineral, coal and natural oil and gas sectors, energy preservation and saving, and the development of clean energy and information technology.

PM Dung expressed his thanks to Japan, Vietnam’s largest ODA donor, for making contribution to the Southeast Asian country’s industrialisation and modernisation process, citing the fact that the volume of Japan ’s ODA to Vietnam reached 155 billion JPY in the fiscal year 2009, the highest level to date.

PM Kan re-affirmed Japan’s strong support for Vietnam’s socio-economic development through providing assistance in such priority areas as promotion of economic growth, improvement of the living standard and social security network and institution and capacity building.

He also expressed his intention to provide 79 billion yen in Japanese ODA loan to five projects including the Lach Huyen Port Complex in the northern port city of Hai Phong.

PM Dung appreciated this assistance and welcomed the fact that the Japanese government had decided to seriously and promptly consider assisting the Long Thanh international airport project, Ninh Binh-Bai Vot expressway project, Nha Trang-Phan Thiet expressway project and new subway line projects in Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The two sides agreed to further boost bilateral trade and investment cooperation through the implementation of the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and the Vietnam-Japan Joint Initiative.

The two leaders also affirmed the need for expediting the negotiation on the movement of natural persons.

Vietnam welcomed Japan’s acceleration of the process of considering recognising Vietnam’s full market economy status, PM Dung said.

The Japanese PM spoke highly of Vietnam’s role and activities in its capacity as 2010 ASEAN Chair.

PM Dung appreciated the role of Japan as the Chair of APEC 2010 and affirmed that Vietnam would work closely with Japan for the success of the 18 th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in November 2010.

The two PMs signed a joint statement on the comprehensive development of strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia after their talks.

PM Dung hosted a banquet in honour of PM Kan and his entourage.

The same day, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh welcomed the Japanese PM, during which he expressed his belief that Vietnam and Japan will effectively carry out cooperative projects in the spirit of “strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.”

The Party leader spoke highly of the outcomes of talks between PM Naoto Kan and PM Nguyen Tan Dung, stressing that the results would contribute to bringing bilateral relations to a new development stage.

PM Kan highly valued Vietnam’s policy of attaching importance to ties with Japan.

Strategic agreements and practical measures taken by the two leaders will lay a foundation to lift Vietnam-Japan cooperation and friendship to a new height, he said.

The Japanese PM affirmed that his government will continue to give priority to strengthening relations with Vietnam and support Vietnam to overcome post-crisis challenges.

He also pledged closer cooperation with Vietnam to implement large scale projects in various areas and boosting exchanges between the two countries’ parties, parliaments, mass organisations and localities.

PM Naoto Kan and his entourage left Hanoi on Oct. 31 to conclude his visit to Vietnam.

Source: VNA