Vietnam, Germany strengthen support at multilateral forums

The agreement was reached at talks between German Foreign Minister Frank Walter Steinemier and Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi on October 31.

The two sides shared their concerns over recent complications in the East Sea and emphasized the need to settle disputes through peaceful means and respect diplomatic and legal procedures on the basis of international law including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said Vietnam treasures its friendship and cooperation with Germany.

Minh asked Germany to support Vietnam in the infrastructure, clean renewable energy, environmental protection, and climate change response programs. He also acknowledged the German Government’s ODA provision, which has supported his country during socio-economic development.

Both sides praised the development of the Vietnam-Germany Strategic Partnership and agreed to increase exchanges and accelerate the signing of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement to raise two-way trade to US$ 20 billion by 2020.

The officials agreed that Vietnam and Germany will intensify delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-ranking level, continue to effectively implement the meeting mechanism of the two foreign ministries’ strategic management group, and further coordinate to carry out the Vietnam-Germany action plan.

Both sides also consented to encourage and facilitate bilateral trade and Germany’s investment in Vietnam, particularly in manufacturing, high technology, clean and renewable energy, infrastructure, and finance-banking.

The countries will continue coordinating closely and supporting each other at multilateral forums and international organisations, including Germany’s advocacy of the reinforcement of Vietnam’s cooperation with the EU, they said.

The German Foreign Minister met Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, together with Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung co-chaired the Vietnam-Germany roundtable discussion on measures to boost investment and business partnerships.

He also visited a number of economic and cultural establishments in Hanoi and HCM City.