Japan to focus on human resources development in Vietnam

Asian Economic News, Oct 2, 2000

TOKYO, Sept. 27 Kyodo

Japan wants to focus on human resources development in its continued economic assistance to Vietnam, Foreign Minister Yohei Kono said Wednesday.

Kono told visiting Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, ''We want to continue economic assistance to Vietnam, especially in the field of human resources,'' according to a Japanese ministry official.

As part of such efforts, Japan is hoping to establish in the next two to three years Japan-Vietnam human resources cooperation centers -- one in Hanoi and another in Ho Chi Minh City -- where Japanese language and business courses will be offered, Kono said.

During the 20-minute meeting, Nien said Vietnam is considering whether to sign the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (CTBT) on nuclear arms, with a decision likely to be made by the end of this year.

Kono said he hopes for a ''good result'' from deliberations over the CTBT issue, according to the official.

Nien also said that Vietnam supports Japan's proposal for reform of the U.N. Security Council, as well as its bid for a permanent seat on the council, the official said.