On the morning of March 17, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki.
Sharing about the increasingly complex security developments in the Middle East region, especially the increasing risks related to the transport route through the Hormuz Strait affecting the world economy, especially the crude oil supply chain from this region to some Asian markets, including Vietnam and Japan, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that he had sent a letter to Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi requesting Japan to consider appropriate support measures.
In which, Japan can directly support by providing a quantity of crude oil to Vietnam from Japan's reserves or indirectly allow Nghi Son Refinery to diversify input oil sources from other partners, contributing to ensuring Vietnam's energy security as well as avoiding negative impacts on businesses of the two countries participating in the Project.
In the spirit of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, the Prime Minister requested Japan to create conditions for Vietnam to access in a suitable form the oil source that the Japanese Government is considering exporting 80 million barrels of oil reserves to reduce the impact of the conflict in the Middle East on fuel prices.
Regarding cooperation in the Block B - O Mon gas chain project, the Prime Minister highly appreciated Japan's cooperation in the Block B gas project and the O Mon III Thermal Power Plant project, the Prime Minister requested the Ambassador to exchange with Japanese businesses to participate in the Project to accelerate the progress of the O Mon II Thermal Power Plant project to ensure timely reception of Block B gas flow after being exploited as committed.
Sharing about the difficulties in ensuring aviation fuel supply; in the spirit of the good Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Japanese Government to share difficulties and create conditions for Vietnam to purchase aviation fuel from Japan's reserves; believing that with the spirit of actively helping and supporting each other, the two countries Vietnam - Japan will not only overcome current challenges but also further strengthen the friendly and sustainable bilateral cooperation relationship.
Ambassador Ito Naoki said that the Japanese side is actively exchanging and discussing with Vietnamese agencies about the cooperative relationship between the two sides, including sharing the energy difficulties that Vietnam is facing.
Affirming that he will report to the Japanese Government and relevant agencies of Japan on the Prime Minister's proposals related to supporting Vietnam to ensure energy security, the Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam said that Japan has decided to open and call on G7 countries to open gasoline and oil reserves to increase the supply of gasoline and oil to the market.
Ambassador Ito Naoki also said that the Japanese side is actively considering, arranging finance, and removing difficulties for Japanese LNG thermal power projects in Vietnam under the Asia Zero Emission Community Initiative (AZEC) program, thereby helping Vietnam ensure energy security.
Expressing concern and appreciation for Vietnam's recent reforms and country development strategy in the coming time, especially the double-digit growth target, Ambassador Ito Naoki affirmed that Japan will continue to accompany Vietnam in this process, especially in the fields of science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transformation...
