Hanoi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held phone talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on September 29 to discuss ways to make the Vietnam - Germany Strategic Partnership more substantive, effective and comprehensive, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
PM Chinh conveyed greetings from Party General Secretary To Lam and other high-ranking Vietnamese Party and State leaders to the German Chancellor. He praised Germany’s role and position within the European Union (EU) and globally, and noted with satisfaction that after 50 years of diplomatic ties, Germany has become one of Vietnam’s top partners in trade and investment.
Vietnam always attaches great importance to consolidating and developing the Strategic Partnership with Germany across various areas, he said.
The Vietnamese leader called on Germany to continue with the effective implementation of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), soon ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and further facilitate business and investment ties between the two countries. He also proposed sci-tech and innovation as a new pillar of collaboration.
Chancellor Merz, for his part, said he was impressed by Vietnam’s development potential and growing standing in the region and the world. He praised the country’s achievements in diverse areas and its adoption of key resolutions to drive socio-economic development, sci-tech, and innovation.
Germany values its Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and wants to expand cooperation in strategic areas such as green economy, energy transition, circular economy, supporting industries and logistics services, he said. He inquired about the recent storms and flooding situation in Vietnam and its disaster recovery efforts.
Both PMs expressed satisfaction with recent strides in bilateral relations, especially in economy, trade, investment, sci-tech, energy transition, education-training, and labour.
They agreed to upgrade bilateral ties to a higher level soon, increase high-level exchanges, make better use of existing cooperation mechanisms and push for the establishment of joint working groups in economic, political and labour fields. The two sides also committed to boosting cooperation in trade, investment, green finance, renewable energy, digital transformation, sustainable development, supporting industries, digital economy, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and transport.
The two leaders vowed continued close coordination within the ASEAN–EU framework as well as at international and regional forums.
On global and regional issues of shared concern, they affirmed their support for the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law and underlined the importance of international cooperation and regional connectivity for peace, stability and sustainable development.
PM Chinh asked Germany to continue supporting the Vietnamese community in Germany, aiding their integration and contributions to both the host country and bilateral ties. He also pushed for expanded vocational training and recruitment of skilled Vietnamese workers to meet labour market demands in both nations.
On this occasion, the leaders extended mutual invitations for official visits at an opportune time to further discussions on enhancing coordination./.
