Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has told German Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel that Vietnam always keeps its door wide open for German investors and creates favourable conditions for them to run long-term business in Vietnam.

Meeting the German Vice Chancellor in Ho Chi Minh City on November 21, the Government leader expressed delight at the growing bilateral ties between the two countries in all fields, especially in economics, trade and investment.

The 14th Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK), which took place in Ho Chi Minh City on November 20-21, opened up new investment and cooperation opportunities for German enterprises in Asia-Pacific countries, including Vietnam, he said.

Germany is currently the largest European trade partner of Vietnam with two-way trade reaching nearly 8 billion USD, accounting for over 20 percent of the total trade between Vietnam and the EU, he noted.

However, PM Nguyen Tan Dung underscored that as there is still room for both countries to tap their cooperation potential, both sides should increase affiliation activities in all areas for the common benefit and development of both Vietnam and Germany.

He also proposed that Germany strongly support the early ratification of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and the signing of the free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the EU.

On his part, the German Vice Chancellor thanked the Government and ministries of Vietnam for their effective coordination in the organisation of the 14 th APK in Ho Chi Minh City.

He declared that Germany is keen on boosting partnership with Vietnam in all fields, especially economics, trade, investment, culture, education, and tourism.

He was of the opinion that the early ratification of the PCA and signing of the FTA between Vietnam and the EU will generate great opportunities for enterprises from both Vietnam and the EU, including Germany, to increase connectivity.

Meanwhile, the prosperity and development of the ASEAN will also create big chances for German and EU firms to invest in Southeast Asia and Asia as a whole, he stated.

According to the German Vice Chancellor, Germany is concerned about the recent developments in the East Sea, as the sea is an important international maritime route via which over 50 percent of the world’s sea cargo volume is transported. The area’s stability is of vital interest for Germany and the EU, he added.

He affirmed the German Government’s viewpoint that all disputes should be settled through dialogues on the basis of internationally-recognised rules. Germany is against the use of force in settling disputes, he said.

On the sidelines of the 14 th APK, PM Nguyen Tan Dung also met with leaders of Airbus Group and Deutsche Bank.-VNA