Vietnam wishes Prime Minister Abe Shinzo good health and happiness, said Spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, hours after Mr. Abe announced his resignation due to health problems.
| PM Abe Shinzo and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc walk in Hoi An town in Quang Nam province, November 11, 2017 when he visited Vietnam to attend the APEC summit. Photo: VNA |
Mr. Abe, who just four days ago set a record of staying in power for 2,799 consecutive days, will leave office, ending his nearly eight-year stint as Japan's longest-serving leader due to a flare-up of his chronic intestinal disease.
Vietnam appreciated Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzo’s great contributions to the development of the Vietnam-Japan relations, for the sake of the two countries’ people and for peace, prosperity, cooperation and development in the region and the world, said Hang.
The spokesperson noted that PM Abe has been trusted by the Japanese people for years, adding that he is a leader who has made many contributions to the development of Japan and promotion of cooperation in different fields in the region and the world.
Vietnam expects PM Abe Shinzo “to continue making important contributions to the development of Japan as well as the cooperation and friendship between Vietnam and Japan,” the spokeswoman said.
During his two terms as Japan’s PM, Mr. Abe has visited Vietnam at least four times, in 2006, 2013, and 2017. He made a great effort to save the TPP-11 trade deal in 2017 after the US withdrew from it.
