Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung (upper, right) and State Secretary of Germany’s Federal Foreign Office Miguel Berger (upper, left) chair the teleconferenced meeting on April 16 (Source: VNA) Deputy Minister Dung informed about Vietnam’s diplomaticorientations and policy after the 13th National Party Congress andhighly valued Germany’s important role and stature in Europe and the world as awhole.
He affirmed that Vietnam wishes to further intensify anddevelop the strategic partnership with Germany, which was established in 2011.
Congratulating Vietnam on the success of the 13th National Party Congress, Berger lauded the country’s efforts in the COVID-19prevention and control, noting that Germany attaches importance to Vietnam’srole in the implementation of its policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacificregion, adopted by the German Government in September 2020.
The two officials shared the view that despite impacts ofthe COVID-19 pandemic, the Vietnam-Germany strategic partnership has beengrowing strongly and effectively in various areas such as politics, economy,development cooperation, education - training, science - technology, andsecurity - defence.
The cooperation contents under the countries’ strategicaction plan for 2019 - 2022 are being carried out on schedule, including theestablishment of a joint committee for economic cooperation, activities withinthe framework of the dialogue on law-governed states, security - defence cooperation,and the Vietnamese - German University.
They noted that in 2020, when both countries werenon-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, Vietnam was Chairof ASEAN, and Germany was President of the European Union (EU) in the last halfof the year, they coordinated closely to help upgrade the ASEAN - EU ties to astrategic partnership and promote security, peace, climate, and COVID-19 issues, thus helping to deal with global concerns.
To further strengthen the Vietnam - Germany strategicpartnership, the two sides agreed to jointly build a strategic action plan forthe next period, increase contact and mutual visits at all levels, and step upcollaboration in priority fields like politics, diplomacy, security - defence,trade, investment, development cooperation, renewable energy, digitalisation,and vocational training.
They agreed to boost efforts to connect and assist thecountries’ businesses to seek investment and business opportunities in eachother’s markets and fully tap into chances generated by the EU - Vietnam FreeTrade Agreement (EVFTA) to drive post-pandemic economic recovery.
Germany pledged support for Vietnam to enhance comprehensivecooperation with the EU, while pushing the ratification of the EU - Vietnam InvestmentProtection Agreement (EVIPA) by the German parliament.
Meanwhile, Vietnam welcomed Germany’s initiatives tocontribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in theAsia-Pacific region and also showed support for the EU nation to strengthen relationswith ASEAN.
The two sides agreed to keep close cooperation and mutualsupport at international organisations and forums, especially the UN, the Asia-EuropeMeeting (ASEM), and the ASEAN-EU cooperation.
At the meeting, the officials also discussed international andregional issues of common interest.
Both voiced their concern over the recent complexdevelopments in the East Sea, reiterating the support for the settlement of alldisputes by peaceful means and on the basis of international law, especiallythe 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.
State Secretary Berger added that his country backs ASEAN’s efforts to bring into play the bloc’s centrality and contribute toregional peace, stability, and prosperity./.
VNA
