The leaders also exchanged views on ways to tap the full potential of bilateral cooperation and generate fresh momentum for deeper, more substantive and effective ties.
    |
 |
|
Prime Minister Le Minh Hung holds phone talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Friday. |
Speaking highly of Germany’s achievements in socio-economic development and foreign affairs in recent years, as well as its active role in the European Union (EU), PM Le Minh Hung affirmed that Viet Nam attaches importance to the bilateral Strategic Partnership.
The leader called on the two sides to continue expanding comprehensive cooperation and translate their determination into concrete action, while stepping up exchanges of delegations, particularly at the high level and through all channels. He also urged the effective use of existing cooperation mechanisms to create favorable conditions for expanding cooperation in areas of shared interest.
Regarding economic, trade and investment ties, he highly valued Germany’s role as a leading trading partner and an important investor of Viet Nam within the E.U., and called for new breakthroughs commensurate with the potential and stature of bilateral relations, with a view to raising two-way trade to USD 20 billion in the near future.
PM Le Minh Hung affirmed that the Vietnamese Government always creates favorable conditions for foreign investors, including those from Germany, and encourages German businesses to expand investment in areas where they have strengths, such as mechanical engineering, the automotive industry, healthcare and energy transition.
He also called for stronger links between the two countries’ financial and securities markets and encouraged international financial institutions and investors to participate in the Viet Nam International Financial Center.
Welcoming Germany’s completion of the ratification of the E.U.-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), the PM said the move was an important step toward facilitating two-way investment. He called on Germany to continue playing its role in encouraging the remaining E.U. member states to complete the ratification soon, while supporting the European Commission’s early removal of the “yellow card” imposed on Vietnamese seafood over illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
For defense and security, labor cooperation and human resource development, PM Le Minh Hung proposed that the two countries expand cooperation in United Nations peacekeeping operations, and promote Germany-standard dual vocational training in Viet Nam.
The leader noted his hope that the German Government will expand scholarship programs and create more opportunities for Vietnamese students and officials to study and conduct research in Germany.
For his part, Chancellor Merz affirmed that Viet Nam-Germany relations are developing fruitfully and have a solid foundation and strong potential to reach new heights.
Emphasizing the high degree of complementarity between the two economies, the Chancelor expressed his desire to strengthen the presence of German businesses in Viet Nam through large-scale, effective cooperation projects, step up trade and investment, expand energy cooperation and participate in Viet Nam’s strategic transport infrastructure projects.
Chancelor Merz agreed to strengthen cooperation in transport, logistics, air connectivity, the green transition and climate change response; effectively implement the Viet Nam-Germany Energy Partnership framework; make science, technology and innovation one of the key pillars of bilateral relations in the coming period; promote joint research projects; and expand cooperation in training experts and engineers in strategic technology fields.
PM Le Minh Hung called on Germany to further simplify visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens and facilitate deeper integration of the Vietnamese community in Germany, enabling it to continue serving as a bridge of friendship and closer ties between the two countries.
The two PMs agreed to meet in person soon in both bilateral and multilateral settings. Chancellor Merz invited PM Le Minh Hung to visit Germany, which the Vietnamese leader gladly accepted. PM Le Minh Hung also invited the German leader to visit Viet Nam at an early date.
Source: VNA