Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh welcomes State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office Andreas Michaelis

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh hosted a reception in Hanoi on December 5 for State Secretary of the German Federal Foreign Office Andreas Michaelis, during which he affirmed Vietnam’s recognition of great importance to ties with Germany, its key partner in the Europe as well as the European Union (EU).

Deputy PM Minh applauded the outcomes of the fifth meeting of the Vietnam – Germany Strategic Management Group, with the adoption of the Plan of Action for the 2019-2020 period, and various cooperative agreements in the areas of politics, security, defence and labour, among others, which meet requirements for stronger development and cooperation in the new period, especially in the context of global fluctuations and challenges.

He said that the strategic partnership between the two nations lays a solid foundation for them to foster ties in the time ahead, particularly in economics, trade and investment, with two-way trade turnover reaching US$6 billion in the first 7 months of 2019 (The figure was US$10 billion in 2018, up more than US$1 billion over 2017).

He voiced his hope that Germany, playing a leading role in the EU, will work to expedite the ratification of the EVFTA and EVIPA, thus making contributions to boosting trade facilitation between Vietnam and Germany and the EU as a whole.

Andreas Michaelis, for his side, showed his elation at the sound Vietnam – Germany strategic partnership while affirming his nation’s readiness to join efforts with the Southeast Asian nation to take bilateral relations to new heights in the future.

He wished that there will be a wide range of activities to mark the 45th anniversary of Vietnam –Germany diplomatic ties next year.

The German official said he hopes that both sides will boost closer coordination at international organizations and forums, particularly when they are both serving as non-permanent members of the UN Security Council during 2020-2021, Vietnam will undertake the role of the ASEAN Chair 2020, and Germany will hold the EU presidency in the second half of 2020.

Germany supports the maintenance of order in the East Sea via peaceful means with respect for international law, he added. VOV