Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) and Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Kono (Source: VNA)

During the event, the two sides agreed to advance a win-win policy of cooperation between the two economies through expanding connection in investment, trade, industry, energy, and agriculture.  They reached a consensus on promoting cooperation regarding receiving Vietnamese workers and trainees and pushing for the early signing of an agreement on the transfer of convicted persons. Deputy PM and FM Minh asked the Japanese side to simplify procedures to grant visas for Vietnamese citizens to enter Japan. The two sides agreed to strengthen coordination at international and regional forums, promote international economic links, including the effective implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). They discussed measures to promote the implementation of agreements reached by high-ranking leaders of the two countries, toward making the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership more effective and practical. They agreed to increase the visits of high-ranking leaders of the two nations; maintain and improve the effectiveness of exchange and dialogue measures between the Vietnamese and Japanese governments, ministries, and sectors; and debated measures to push cooperation in a term of official development assistance. They promised to work closely for the success of the G20 Osaka Summit in Japan in June. The Japanese Minister affirmed that Japan will support Vietnam in fostering sustainable development, improving competitiveness and labour productivity, building e-government, human resources training, and  climate change response,as well as developing telecommunications information. He expressed the desire to work closely with Vietnam to promote cooperation between Japan and the Southeast Asian region.