The Vietnamese-German Strategic Management Group convened its first meeting in Berlin on September 10.
Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office Emily Haber co-chaired the meeting of the group, which was established after both countries agreed to lift their relationship to a strategic partnership in October last year.
They reviewed five priority areas from the two
countries’ strategic plan of action, including politics and policies;
trade and investment; justice and law; development cooperation and
environmental protection; education, science, technology, culture and
communications.
They also reached a consensus on how to carry out the plan in the future
and agreed to hold more meetings at ministerial and provincial levels
to speed up key joint projects in economics and education.
The participants also noted the enhancement of cooperation in the fields of law, the environment, climate change and postwar consequence settlement.
They discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, agreeing to support each other at multi-lateral and international forums, especially the United Nations.
Germany pledged to continue supporting Vietnam to enhance its links with the European Union, negotiate a free trade agreement and ratify a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement with the block.
The German side also said it supports Vietnam being recognised by the EU as a full market economy.
As Coordinator for Vietnam-EU relations from July 2012 to July 2015, Vietnam is ready to help Germany boost its ties with ASEAN, Son confirmed.
During his stay in Germany , Son also met with the Vice Permanent President of Germany ’s Council for Foreign Relations.-VNA