Vietnam, Germany look towards broader comprehensive cooperation

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holds talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

During their talks held on November 13 following a welcome ceremony for the German guest, PM Chinh said that Prime Minister Olaf Scholz's visit is of great significance, bringing the two countries' relations to a new stage of development, and promoting their political trust, and strategic partnership framework in an effective and practical manner.

The visit helps strengthen cooperation between the two countries both bilaterally and multilaterally towards sustainable development and the joint efforts to solving global problems.

For his part, Prime Minister Olaf Scholz affirmed the importance of Vietnam's position and role in Germany's strategy for the Indo-Pacific region, and voiced strong support for the promotion of traditional relations and close cooperation between the two countries.

The two PMs had a wide-ranging discussion on the socio-economic development situation of each country, bilateral cooperation relations and regional and international issues of shared concern.

Both leader showed their elation at the progress in the bilateral relations despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts as seen in frequent meetings between senior leaders of Vietnam and Germany; the vigorous growth in bilateral investment and trade, which has turned Vietnam into the largest trading partner of Germany in Southeast Asia; and the recent signing of cooperation documents on defence, energy transition, and labour.

They also greatly valued bilateral collaboration in COVID-19 prevention and control.
The Vietnamese cabinet leader thanked the German Government and people for their donation of COVID-19 vaccine, which have helped Vietnam contain the pandemic, reopen borders, and recover the economy early.

Chancellor Scholz said he was impressed with Vietnam’s recovery and dynamic economic development.

With regard to major directions and measures to comprehensively step up the bilateral cooperation, the two sides consented to intensify the exchange of visits at all levels and through all channels such as the Parties, States, Governments, and parliaments while continuing to effectively carry out bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

They promised to encourage Vietnamese and German agencies and enterprises to go ahead with the full and effective enforcement of the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

The Vietnamese Government chief suggested the German parliament soon finalize the ratification of the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); encourage German businesses to make and expand investment in Vietnam, especially in the fields matching their strength such as digital transformation, renewable energy, and strategic infrastructure development; prompt the European Commission to remove its “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese aquatic products; and offer favourable conditions for Vietnam’s agricultural and aquatic exports to the German market.

Chancellor Scholz highlighted the EVFTA as an important impulse for bilateral economic and trade links. He called on both nations to continue persifying their economic relations and voiced his hope for the early ratification of the EVIPA.

He hailed Vietnam’s efforts to achieve a sustainable fishery sector, stressing that German enterprises are paying increasing attention to Vietnam, which boasts political stability and an optimal investment and business environment, especially in such areas as renewable energy, manufacturing industry, and infrastructure development.

Both host and guest concurred to expand the bilateral cooperation to other important spheres like science - technology, defence - security, health care - education, vocational training and labour.

Vietnam and Germany will ramp up coordination to jointly address global challenges such as food security and climate change response, and work with the G7 nations so that the parties concerned will soon reach a consensus on a political declaration on the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) on the basis of guaranteeing harmonious interests, they said.

PM Chinh asked the German Government to continue assisting and providing favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to integrate successfully into the local society and contribute to Germany’s socio-economic development as well as the bilateral ties.

The two PMs said that Vietnam and Germany will continue close coordination and mutual support at international forums and organisations, especially in enhancing the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s relations with Germany and the EU, and augmenting bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Asia - Europe Meeting (ASEM) and the United Nations.

They reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, and peacefully resolving disputes in accordance with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Following the talks, both PMs met with the press to inform about the major outcomes of their talks.