VN, Germany pledge to work together to boost ASEAN-EU connectivity

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh holds phone conversation with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas. Photo: VGP

     >>> DPM, FM highlights robust and enduring ties with Germany

The agreement was reached during the pair’s phone conversation on Friday, ten days after Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and German Chancellor Angela Merkel held phone talks on the occasion of the 45th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam-Germany diplomatic relations.

Viet Nam is the current ASEAN Chair while the European country is holding rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2020,

On regional and international situation of mutual concerns, the two foreign ministers underlined the importance of maintaining peace and stability, settling disputes in the East Sea through peaceful measures on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Regarding the bilateral ties, Minh affirmed Viet Nam treasures the strategic partnership with, expressing thanks to Germany for its active support for Viet Nam-EU cooperation, especially for the signing and ratification of the Viet Nam-EU free trade agreement (EVFTA).

Maas, for his part, spoke highly of the achievements of the bilateral ties and vowed to coordinate closely with Viet Nam in implementing the action plan for the 2020-2021 period which calls on the two countries to uphold rule-based order, respect international law, and protect human rights and principles of sovereignty and the rule of law.

In his recent article, Deputy PM, FM Minh highlighted that Viet Nam and Germany have been able to sustain a robust and enduring relationship over the past 45 years thanks to well-rounded cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economy, and culture affairs among others.

The consensus of will and the agreements reached during high-level visits have become an important leverage for both countries to deepen bilateral cooperation. Particularly, the Ha Noi Joint Statement on establishment of Viet Nam-Germany strategic partnership issued on the occasion of German Chancellor Angela Merkel in October 2011 marked a significant milestone in shaping the Viet Nam-Germany ties in the last 10 years.

Many cooperation mechanisms, including high-level economic dialogue and consultation on development cooperation have been kicked off and expanded in a bid to ensure effectiveness and quality of all-round cooperation.

On multilateral aspect, Viet Nam and Germany have maintained close coordination and mutual support at regional and international for a like ASEAN-EU, ASEM, and the UN.

The sides have shared common stance and vision on multilateralism, stable and rules-based order, protection of international law, and environmental protection; reached common voices over the settlement of regional and global challenges.

By Quang Minh