Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc engaged in a talk on the phone withChancellor of Germany Angela Merkel on September 15 on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam – Germany diplomatic ties (September 23, 1975, 2020).
Thetwo leaders expressed their delight at the development of bilateralties over the past 45 years as well as of the bilateral strategic partnership in thepast decade.
PMPhuc affirmed that Vietnam treasures its strategic partnership with Germany, a country with a leading role and position in Europe and the world.
The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations, especially those athigh level when conditions permit, and work closely together to effectively implement the Vietnam –Germany strategic action plan adopted last year and further deepen the bilateralrelationship.
TheVietnamese PM thanked the German Chancellor, Government, partners and friends forsupporting the Vietnam – EU ties over the past years, especiallypushing forward the signing and ratification of the EU – Vietnam Free TradeAgreement (EVFTA) and the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, thus opening upopportunities and prospects for both sides to fuel growth after the pandemic.
Hesuggested the German Government encourage German firms to expand cooperationwith Vietnam in fields of their strength and priority such as mechanical engineering,support industry, smart infrastructure, renewable energy, vocational training, and labour cooperation.
Vietnamalways welcomes German investors to the country to seize opportunities amid the shift ofsupply and investment chains in the region, he said.
Expressingher delight at the taking effect of the EVFTA that marks an important milestone inbilateral ties in both economic and strategic terms, Merkel congratulatedVietnam on its success in controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and thanked the countryfor presenting masks to Germany.
PMPhuc thanked the German Government for supporting the textile industry of severalcountries hit by the pandemic, including Vietnam. He affirmed that Vietnam isready to continue partnering with Germany in pandemic control and vaccine production while promoting trade, travelling and economicrecovery.
Thetwo government leaders spoke highly of the two countries' close coordination and mutual support at international forums andorganisations, especially at the United Nations when both countries arenon-permanent members of the UN Security Council, based on their shared concerns and backing of multilateralism and enhancement of the role of the UN andother multilateral cooperation institutions.
Vietnam, as Chair of ASEAN in 2020, and German, as rotating Chair ofthe EU in the last half of 2020, pledged to continue bolsteringcollaboration and connectivity between the two regions, towards upgrading EU –ASEAN ties.
Appreciatingthe importance of the Indo-Pacific region in shaping the world order in the 21st century, Merkel affirmed that Germany will involve more actively in the region. Shewished that Vietnam would upholding its role of linking Germany and the regiontogether.
TheVietnamese PM spoke highly of Germany’s recent issuance of strategicorientations for the region and the European country's active and constructive role in the region on thebasis of supporting ASEAN’s central role, boosting cooperation andmaintaining rules-based order.
Healso highlighted the significance of recent statements by ASEAN on relatedissues such as statements of the 53rd ASEAN Foreign Ministers’Meeting and the ASEAN Regional Forum in September this year.
The two leaders stressed the importance of the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in linewith international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of theSea in the East Sea, as well as of joint efforts to ensure peace, stability, safety,security, maritime and aviation freedom in the region.
PMPhuc reiterated his invitation to Merkel to visit Vietnam. Merkel also invitedthe Vietnamese leader to visit Germany in convenient time./.
