VN-Germany strategic partnership enters new development period

Deputy FM To Anh Dung (R) and State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office Andreas Michaelis, Ha Noi, December 4, 2019

At the meeting, the two sides were satisfied with the developments in the bilateral ties over the past years. 

They reviewed cooperation within the framework of the Viet Nam – Germany strategic partnership and discussed the Viet Nam – Germany Plan of Action for the 2019 – 2021 period which will lay a foundation to further extend bilateral ties across politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, development cooperation, national defence-security, education-training, culture and tourism, in order to meet the demand of two countries in the next period. 

The two officials shared the view that the year 2020 is important to the Viet Nam – Germany relations as they will mark the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, the two countries will be non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council; Viet Nam will assume the role of ASEAN Chair 2020 and Germany will hold the European Union presidency in the second half of 2020. 

They agreed to facilitate all-level visits and exchanges to broaden bilateral collaboration, especially within multilateral framework, step up the comprehensive development of Viet Nam – EU ties, towards the ratification and implementation of the EU – Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement and the EU – Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement. 

State Secretary Michaelis said he hoped to boost coordination with Viet Nam in such areas as economy, trade, investment, education, culture, renewable energy, science-technology, skilled workforce and nurse training amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution. 

The officials took the occasion to discuss regional and global issues of shared concern and vowed to support each other at regional and global forums, particularly the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting, the ASEAN – European Union, and the UN peacekeeping missions. 

The two leaders also underlined the importance of the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, refraining from the use of force or threat to use force, ensuring maritime and aviation security and safety, and respect for international law and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 in the East Sea./. 

By Kim Loan