2020 important year for Vietnam-Germany ties

The fifth meeting of the Vietnam-Germany Strategic Management Group in Hanoi

Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung and State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office Andreas Michaelis co-chaired the fifth meeting of the Vietnam-Germany Strategic Management Group in Hanoi on December 4.

The two sides reviewed cooperation within the framework of the Vietnam – Germany strategic partnership and discussed the Vietnam – Germany Plan of Action for the 2019 – 2021 period which will lay a foundation to further broaden bilateral ties across politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, development cooperation, national defence-security, education-training, culture and tourism, in order to meet the demand of two nations in the next period.

They shared the view that 2020 will be an important year for Vietnam – Germany ties when they will celebrate the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and will be non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.

Vietnam will perform the role of ASEAN Chair 2020 and Germany will hold the European Union presidency in the second half of 2020.

Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung and State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office Andreas Michaelis (L)

The two sides pledged to facilitate all-level exchange visits to expand bilateral collaboration, especially within multilateral framework, boost the comprehensive development of Vietnam – EU ties, towards the ratification and implementation of the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, thus creating a new driving force for economic, trade and investment ties between Vietnam and the EU, as well as between Vietnam and Germany.

Michaelis expressed a desire to step up coordination with Vietnam in key areas of economics, trade, investment, education, culture, renewable energy, science-technology, skilled workforce and nurse training amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Regarding regional and global issues of shared concern, they promised to offer mutual support at regional and global forums, particularly the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting, the ASEAN – European Union, and the UN peacekeeping missions.

The officials underscored the importance of settling disputes by peaceful means, refraining from the use of force or threat to use force, ensuring maritime and aviation security and safety, and respect to international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS).