Meeting the German Vice Chancellor in Ho Chi Minh Cityon November 21, the Government leader expressed delight at the growingbilateral ties between the two countries in all fields, especially ineconomics, trade and investment.
The 14thAsia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK), which took place inHo Chi Minh City on November 20-21, opened up new investment andcooperation opportunities for German enterprises in Asia-Pacificcountries, including Vietnam, he said.
Germanyis currently the largest European trade partner of Vietnam with two-waytrade reaching nearly 8 billion USD, accounting for over 20 percent ofthe total trade between Vietnam and the EU, he noted.
However, PM Nguyen Tan Dung underscored that as there is still roomfor both countries to tap their cooperation potential, both sides shouldincrease affiliation activities in all areas for the common benefit anddevelopment of both Vietnam and Germany.
He alsoproposed that Germany strongly support the early ratification of thePartnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) and the signing of the freetrade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the EU.
Onhis part, the German Vice Chancellor thanked the Government andministries of Vietnam for their effective coordination in theorganisation of the 14 th APK in Ho Chi Minh City.
He declared that Germany is keen on boosting partnership with Vietnam inall fields, especially economics, trade, investment, culture,education, and tourism.
He was of the opinion thatthe early ratification of the PCA and signing of the FTA between Vietnamand the EU will generate great opportunities for enterprises from bothVietnam and the EU, including Germany, to increase connectivity.
Meanwhile, the prosperity and development of the ASEAN will alsocreate big chances for German and EU firms to invest in Southeast Asiaand Asia as a whole, he stated.
According to theGerman Vice Chancellor, Germany is concerned about the recentdevelopments in the East Sea, as the sea is an important internationalmaritime route via which over 50 percent of the world’s sea cargo volumeis transported. The area’s stability is of vital interest for Germanyand the EU, he added.
He affirmed the GermanGovernment’s viewpoint that all disputes should be settled throughdialogues on the basis of internationally-recognised rules. Germany isagainst 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