Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio expressed his intention to request Japanese agencies to thoroughly examine Vietnam's proposal for a visa entry exemption to Japan during discussions with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Tokyo on Saturday.

The talks took place during PM Chinh’s trip to Japan for the Commemorative Summit for the 50th year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation, held between December 16 and 18 in Tokyo.

PM Chinh suggested that Japan soon simplify visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens entering Japan and move toward visa exemption for them in the future.

The Vietnamese government leader also proposed that Japan supply new-generation official development assistance (ODA) loans – which are offered at an extremely low interest rate – for Vietnam’s projects on digital, strategic infrastructure development and green transition, with more simplified and flexible lending procedures.

Both nations should beef up cooperation on high-quality human resource training, with Japan receiving more Vietnamese workers, the top Vietnamese official recommended.

PM Kishida Fumio affirmed that he attaches great importance to his Vietnamese counterpart’s proposals and will ask relevant Japanese agencies to mull them over.

PM Chinh on the same day held talks with his Thai counterpart Srettha Thavisin, in which both leaders agreed to jointly carry out an action program on the implementation of the Vietnam-Thailand Enhanced Strategic Partnership during the 2022-27 period, striving to elevate bilateral ties to a new high.

Vietnam and Thailand will team up with each other to raise their two-way trade to US$25 billion and tighten cooperation in fields that both sides have enormous potential and strengths for further growth.

Both nations agreed to pay much attention to implementing their ‘Three connections’ initiative on a win-win basis, with an emphasis on digital transformation, green transition, and circular economy.

PM Chinh proposed that Thailand share its expertise in tourism development with Vietnam and collaborate on implementing joint tourism cooperation programs involving three or four countries.

PM Srettha asserted that Vietnam remains among Thailand’s top important partners in the region, adding that he accepted an invitation to pay an official visit to Vietnam next year and co-chair the fourth joint cabinet meeting between the two nations.

Asides from his talks with the Japanese and Thai prime ministers, PM Chinh on the same day had separate brief meetings with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah and Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos.

Both the Bruneian and Philippine leaders affirmed that they will visit Vietnam in 2024 to strengthen bilateral relations.

Vietnam and the Philippines agreed to enhance cooperation in agriculture, with a specific focus on rice production to ensure food security.

Both countries pledged to collaborate on global issues such as climate change adaptation and regional concerns, including the matter of the East Vietnam Sea.

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