Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received Japanese Prime Minister Naoko Kan and Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard in Hanoi on October 31 during their visits to the 13th ASEAN-Japan Summit, the East Asia Summit and the related summits.

At the meeting with the Japanese Prime Minister, PM Dung discussed solutions to strengthen the strategic relation between Vietnam and Japan. They agreed to maintain an exchange of high ranking delegations; boost bilateral economic and trade cooperation, as well as official development assistance (ODA). They also will continue to cooperate in science and technology, national defense and security, human resources development and cultural exchanges.

At the end of the discussion, the two Prime Ministers signed a declaration on comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Japan for peace and prosperity in Asia.

Speaking at a press conference after the meeting, Prime Minister Dung confirmed that Vietnam has chosen Japan to help it construct its second nuclear power plant and assist in developing the rare earth industry. Both countries will complete documents to implement these programmes as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Kan confirmed that the Japanese government will support Vietnam in major projects including Long Thanh International Airport, Ninh Binh-Bai Vot and Nha Trang-Phan Thiet highways, and new underground railways in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Japan will also provide Vietnam with 79 billion Japanese Yen in ODA for key projects such as the Lach Huyen international airport in Hai Phong.

The two Prime Ministers also agreed to work closely on regional and international issues like security and climate change.

Prime Minister Dung met with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on the same day and they agreed to maintain exchanges of high ranking delegations and strengthen cooperation in labour, mineral exploitation, agriculture, education, national defense and security.

Both Prime Ministers witnessed the signing of a common declaration for the project to connect areas within the Mekong river delta and the Vietnam-Australia Action Plan for 2010-2013 period.

Source: VOV