Vietnam, Japan "Successfully" Concluded Bilateral Economic Partnership Talks

The first session of the talks on Vietnam-Japan bilateral economic partnership agreement (EPA) wrapped up in Tokyo, Japan, on 18 January after three-day sitting.

Vietnamese chief negotiator Deputy Foreign Minister Phan The Rue told a Vietnamese News Agency correspondent that the session was a success as both sides achieved their objectives.

Rue said that the two sides understood each other's proposals and agreed on an approach to the agreement, especially negotiation principles which will be the basis for the second session, scheduled to take place in Hanoi on 26 March.

During their visits, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe were unanimous in accelerating talks on EPA [Economic Partnership Agreement] to facilitate investment, trade and service activities between the two countries.

Source: VNA news agency