Vietnam-Germany economic relations develop rapidly in all aspects

After the official welcoming ceremony at the German Chancellor's Office, on the afternoon of October 15 (Vietnam time), German Chancellor Angela Merkel and 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 their 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; agreed to increase delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high-level ones, to create momentum to promote stronger cooperation in all fields.

The two sides affirmed that they will closely coordinate to organize meaningful and practical events to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Germany diplomatic relations 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 in the European Union (EU). Two-way trade turnover in 2013 reached 7.7 billion USD, an increase of 18% compared to 2012.

Germany is currently ranked 22nd out of 101 countries and territories investing in Vietnam with 232 valid projects and a total registered capital of 1.25 billion USD.

About 250 enterprises, including many leading German economic groups such as Siemens, Bosch, Bilfinger... are operating effectively 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 promote German investment in Vietnam.

The two sides agreed to create favorable conditions for businesses and investors of each country to operate and do business in each other's markets in order to exploit and promote the potential and strengths of each country.

The Vietnamese side welcomed the German Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy to visit Vietnam and chair the 14th Asia-Pacific German Business Conference in Ho Chi Minh City this November, assessing this as a favorable opportunity to promote economic cooperation between Germany and Vietnam in particular and countries in the region in general.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung thanked Germany for providing ODA to Vietnam, making an important contribution to supporting Vietnam in successfully achieving its socio-economic development and international integration goals.

Germany assessed Vietnam as one of the partners effectively using capital funded by the German Government and affirmed that it will continue to maintain ODA for Vietnam in the coming time, focusing on three priority areas: energy, environmental protection and vocational training.

Germany affirmed its support for Vietnam in building and developing the Vietnam-Germany University, a lighthouse project of the two countries in the field of education and training, into an outstanding and prestigious university in the region.

The two sides agreed that the pilot cooperation program to send Vietnamese nurses to work long-term in Germany has achieved good results and is the basis for expanding the program in the coming time, targeting occupations that are in demand in Germany and that Vietnamese workers can meet, such as electrical and plumbing engineering...

German Chancellor Angela Merkel appreciated the successful integration of the community of over 125,000 Vietnamese people in Germany into German society and pledged that the German Government will continue to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live and work stably, contributing positively to the development and prosperity of Germany.

The two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern; agreed to strengthen cooperation and support each other at multilateral forums and international organizations, especially at the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and ASEAN-EU.

Germany affirmed its continued support for Vietnam in strengthening its comprehensive cooperation with the EU, urging the EU to soon conclude negotiations, sign the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement and recognize Vietnam as a market economy at the same time as completing negotiations, and welcomed the Joint Statement between Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and President of the European Commission Manuel Barroso on the direction to conclude negotiations on the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement.

As the ASEAN-EU Coordinator for the 2012-2015 term, Vietnam pledged to be ready to act as a bridge for Germany to strengthen relations with ASEAN.

Regarding the East Sea issue, German Chancellor Angela Merkel affirmed that Germany supports Vietnam's stance of resolving disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and considers this an effective method to resolve differences.

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

National Assembly Chairman Norbert Lammert highly appreciated the good relations between the two countries in all fields, including cooperation through the National Assembly, and was pleased to announce that he will visit Vietnam and attend the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly hosted by Vietnam in March 2015.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung thanked the German Parliament and people for their valuable support and assistance to Vietnam during the past struggle for independence as well as in the current national construction and development.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung expressed his hope that the two countries and the two National Assemblies will strengthen their friendship and cooperation on the basis of the established strategic partnership and that the German Parliament will actively support Vietnam in strengthening its comprehensive cooperation with the EU.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also visited and had a friendly talk with officials and 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 proposal and advice to the Government on measures to promote effective cooperation with Germany in many fields in recent times; at the same time, it has supported the activities of Vietnamese associations in Germany and done a good job of protecting citizens.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung hopes that the Embassy and Vietnamese representative agencies in Germany will continue to promote the spirit of solidarity, strive to make efforts, and actively contribute to promoting cooperation between the two countries in all fields, especially promoting cooperation in economics, trade, investment, culture, education, science and technology, etc.

Along with that, we need to continue to do a good job of propagating and disseminating the Party and State's guidelines and policies to our compatriots in Germany, as well as continuing to do a good job of protecting citizens and supporting our compatriots in studying, working and living.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung also hopes that Vietnamese people in Germany will continue to uphold the tradition of solidarity, mutual support and assistance in life; abide by the laws of the host country; maintain and promote national cultural identity; take practical actions towards the homeland and country; and fulfill the role of a bridge of friendship to promote good cooperation between Vietnam and Germany in all fields.

According to Vietnam+