HANOI (Kyodo) Vietnamese President Nguyen Minh Triet has welcomed Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's proposal for an East Asian community and said his country will promote stronger regional partnerships when it hosts a series of meetings in the area next year.
In a meeting Wednesday with visiting Japanese journalists, Vietnam's leader also called for Tokyo's help in building nuclear plants and a bullet train system.
Hatoyama's idea "is one that strengthens regional consolidation in East Asia and the Asia-Pacific area," Triet told the group.
As to whether to include the United States, he said, "We need to continue discussions," noting members of the proposed community must continue enhancing ties with the U.S. regardless of whether it is included in the bloc.
Vietnam will host a series of meetings next year of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and dialogue initiatives that the 10-member body will hold with its regional partners.
Triet also thanked Japan for its official development assistance.
Japan, Vietnam's largest donor, is expected to provide a record $500 million worth of emergency financial support to Vietnam by the end of March.