Economic relations between Vietnam and Germany are developing rapidly in all aspects.

Following the official welcoming ceremony at the German Chancellery, on the afternoon of October 15th (Vietnam time), German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung held talks.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany Angela Merkel at the welcoming ceremony. Photo: VNA

The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the rapid and effective development of the Vietnam-Germany Strategic Partnership, with the successful implementation of many contents in the Strategic Action Plan; they agreed to strengthen exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially at the high level, in order to create momentum to further promote cooperation in all fields.

Both sides affirmed that they would closely coordinate to organize meaningful and practical events to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Germany in 2015.

The two prime ministers assessed that economic relations between Vietnam and Germany have developed rapidly in all aspects.

For many years, Germany has been Vietnam's largest trading partner within the European Union (EU). Two-way trade turnover in 2013 reached US$7.7 billion, an 18% increase compared to 2012.

Germany currently ranks 22nd out of 101 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 232 active projects and a total registered capital of US$1.25 billion.

Approximately 250 businesses, including many leading German corporations such as Siemens, Bosch, and Bilfinger, are operating successfully in Vietnam.

Chancellor Angela Merkel and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung agreed to accelerate the progress of key cooperation projects such as the German House and the construction of Metro Line 2 in Ho Chi Minh City, creating momentum to boost German investment in Vietnam.

Both sides agreed to create favorable conditions for businesses and investors from each country to operate and conduct business smoothly in each other's markets, in order to exploit and develop the potential and strengths of each country.

The Vietnamese side welcomed the visit of the German Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Energy to Vietnam and his chairmanship of the 14th German Business Conference for the Asia-Pacific region in Ho Chi Minh City in November, considering it a favorable opportunity to promote economic cooperation between Germany and Vietnam in particular, and with countries in the region in general.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung thanked Germany for providing ODA to Vietnam, which has made a significant contribution to supporting Vietnam in successfully achieving its socio-economic development goals and international integration.

Germany considers Vietnam one of the partners that effectively utilizes the funds provided by the German government and affirms that it will continue to maintain ODA for Vietnam in the future, focusing on three priority areas: energy, environmental protection, and vocational training.

The German side affirmed its support for Vietnam in building and developing the Vietnamese-German University, a flagship project of the two countries in the field of education and training, into an outstanding university of regional standing.

Both sides agreed that the pilot cooperation program to send Vietnamese nurses to work long-term in Germany has yielded good results and serves as a basis for expanding the program in the future, targeting professions that are in demand in Germany and that Vietnamese workers can meet, such as electrical and plumbing engineering.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel acknowledged the successful integration of the Vietnamese community of over 125,000 in Germany into German society and pledged that the German government would continue to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and work stably, making positive contributions to the development and prosperity of Germany.

The two sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest; and agreed to strengthen cooperation and support each other in multilateral forums and international organizations, especially at the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Cooperation Forum (ASEM), and ASEAN-EU.

Germany affirmed its continued support for Vietnam in strengthening comprehensive cooperation with the EU, promoting the early conclusion of negotiations and signing of the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement, and recognizing Vietnam as having a market economy at the same time as the completion of negotiations. It welcomed the Joint Statement between Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and President of the European Commission Manuel Barroso on the direction for concluding negotiations on the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement.

As the Coordinator of ASEAN-EU relations for the 2012-2015 term, Vietnam is committed to acting as a bridge to help Germany strengthen its relations with ASEAN.

Regarding the South China Sea issue, German Chancellor Angela Merkel affirmed Germany's support for Vietnam's position on resolving disputes through peaceful means, based on international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), considering this an effective method for resolving differences.

Later that afternoon, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met with the President of the German Parliament, Norbert Lammert.

Speaker of the Parliament Norbert Lammert highly appreciated the good relations between the two countries in all fields, including cooperation through the parliamentary channel, and happily announced that he would visit Vietnam and attend the 132nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) hosted by Vietnam in March 2015.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung thanked the German Parliament and people for the valuable support and assistance they have given Vietnam during the years of struggle for independence as well as in the current process of national construction and development.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his desire for the two countries and their respective parliaments to strengthen friendly relations and cooperation based on the established strategic partnership, and for the German Parliament to actively support Vietnam in enhancing comprehensive cooperation with the EU.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also visited and had a cordial conversation with the staff of the Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Germany.

Emphasizing that Germany is one of Vietnam's leading important partners in Europe and the world, and that strengthening effective cooperation with Germany will bring practical benefits to the common development of both countries, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung highly appreciated the Embassy's proactive approach in proposing and advising the Government on measures to promote effective cooperation with Germany in many fields in the past; and also its support for the activities of Vietnamese associations in Germany and its good work in protecting Vietnamese citizens.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his hope that the Embassy and other Vietnamese representative offices in Germany would continue to uphold the spirit of solidarity, strive diligently, and make positive contributions to promoting cooperative relations between the two countries in various fields, especially in promoting economic, trade, investment, cultural, educational, and scientific-technical cooperation.

In addition, we will continue to effectively disseminate the Party and State's guidelines and policies to our compatriots in Germany, as well as continue to do a good job of protecting citizens and supporting them in their studies, work, and lives.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also expressed his hope that Vietnamese people in Germany would continue to uphold the tradition of solidarity, mutual support, and assistance in their lives; abide by the laws of the host country; maintain and promote their national cultural identity; take practical actions towards their homeland; and effectively fulfill their role as a bridge of friendship to promote good cooperative relations between Vietnam and Germany in various fields.

According to Vietnam+