VN, Germany expect to substantiate strategic partnership

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh and German FM Heiko Maas. Photo: German Foreign Office

Deputy PM, FM Minh meets with German officials

Minh, who paid a visit to Germany from February 20-21, held talks with Heiko Maas on February 20 (local time) during which the latter said the visit is important and meaningful and it will create foundation for further expanding and deepening the strategic ties.

Heiko Mass spoke highly of Viet Nam’s achievements in socio-economic development and international integration as well as its role and position in ASEAN and Asia-Pacific.

He also hailed Viet Nam’s active contributions to the international community.

Meanwhile, Minh conveyed Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong’s invitation to the German President to visit Viet Nam, affirming the country always attaches importance to the strategic partnership with Germany and considers Germany as a top and priority partner.

Both sides agreed to consolidate and enrich the contents of the Viet Nam-Germany strategic partnership across fields in the time to come, and to develop a specific plan to deepen the bilateral relationship.

Minh extended thanks for Germany’s assistance to development projects, wishing the German side to continue official development assistance to the Southeast Asian country.

The pair were glad at the positive advancement of the bilateral  trade and investment cooperation as the two-way trade volume rose to US$10 billion last year, up more than US$ 1 billion from 2017.

The German side highly valued the importance of the free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the European Union and vowed to double efforts to step up the signing and ratification of the trade deal as soon as possible.

Both sides also committed to close coordination at international forums and organizations, especially the United Nations as Germany will take over the EU presidency in 2020 and Viet Nam will assume ASEAN Chair in the same year.

The two shared their similar views on many regional and international issues of common concerns, especially they voiced support for free trade and maintenance of multilateral mechanisms, respect for international law for peace and stability in the region and the world./.

By Quang Minh