Vietnamese PM holds talks with German Chancellor

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz hold talks in Hanoi on November 13. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Chinh said the Chancellor’s official visit to Vietnam on Nov. 13-14 is of great significance in bringing bilateral relations to a new stage of development, enhancing political trust, intensifying strategic partnership and enhancing cooperation. cooperation in bilateral and multilateral aspects towards sustainable development. and the joint resolution of world problems.

Chancellor Scholz said Germany values ​​Vietnam’s position and role in its Indo-Pacific strategy and supports the strong promotion of traditional relations and cooperation.

The two leaders expressed their joy at the progress of bilateral relations despite the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as evidenced by the frequent meetings between senior leaders of Vietnam and Germany; the vigorous growth of two-way investment and trade, which has made Vietnam Germany’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia; and the recent signing of cooperation documents on defence, energy transition and labor. They also highly appreciated the bilateral collaboration in the prevention and control of COVID-19.

Prime Minister Chinh thanked the German government and people for donating the COVID-19 vaccine, which helped Vietnam contain the pandemic, reopen borders and revive the economy sooner. Meanwhile, Chancellor Scholz said he was impressed with Vietnam’s recovery and dynamic economic development.

Regarding the main directions and measures to comprehensively promote bilateral cooperation, the two sides agreed to increase the exchange of visits at all levels and through all channels such as Parties, States, Governments and parliaments while continuing to effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

They vowed to encourage Vietnamese and German agencies and companies to pursue full and effective implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Talks between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in Hanoi on November 13. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister Chinh proposed to the German parliament to complete the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) soon; encourage German companies to invest and increase their investment in Vietnam, especially in areas corresponding to their strength, such as digital transformation, renewable energy and the development of strategic infrastructure; encourage the European Commission to withdraw its “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese aquatic products; and create favorable conditions for agricultural and aquatic exports from Vietnam to the German market.

For his part, Chancellor Scholz noted that the EVFTA is an important boost for bilateral economic and trade ties. He called on the two countries to continue diversifying their economic relations and expressed his hope for the early ratification of EVIPA.

He applauded Vietnam’s efforts to achieve a sustainable fisheries sector, pointing out that German companies are paying increasing attention to Vietnam, which enjoys political stability and an optimal investment and business environment. particularly in areas such as renewable energy, manufacturing and infrastructure development.

The host and guest agreed to expand the bilateral cooperation to other important areas such as science – technology, defense – security, healthcare – education, vocational training and labor .

Vietnam and Germany will strengthen coordination to jointly address global challenges such as food security and climate change response, and work with G7 countries to ensure that relevant parties reach consensus on a political declaration on climate change soon. partnership for a just energy transition (JETP) on the basis of the guarantee of harmonious interests, they said.

Prime Minister Chinh suggested that the German government continue to help and provide favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to successfully integrate into local society and contribute to Germany’s socio-economic development as well as bilateral relations. .

During the talks, the two leaders also discussed regional and international issues of common interest.

They affirmed that Vietnam and Germany will pursue close coordination and mutual support in international forums and organizations, especially in promoting the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) relations with China. Germany and the EU, and in strengthening bilateral cooperation within the framework of the Asia – Europe Meeting (ASEM) and United Nations.

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, and peacefully resolving disputes in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention. Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982. .

After the talks, the two leaders met with the press to brief on the main results of their talks.

Vietnamese, German government leaders meet press in Hanoi

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met the press after their talks in Hanoi on November 13 afternoon.

Prime Minister Chinh reiterated that the Chancellor’s visit is of great significance, marking the entry of relations between the two countries into a new stage of development, creating momentum to deepen strategic partnership, expand bilateral development cooperation sustainable, jointly solve global problems, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and in the world.

He told the press that on the threshold and during the visit, the agencies of the two countries completed the procedures and signed three cooperation documents on defense, energy transition, labor and vocational training.

In the spirit of mutual trust and understanding, the two sides thoroughly reviewed the multifaceted collaboration, agreed on the main directions and measures to improve the effectiveness of cooperation and expand to other areas, and exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, Prime Minister Chinh said.

The prime minister said he proposed to the German government to encourage German companies to invest in Vietnam in areas where Germany is strong, such as digital transformation, green transformation, renewable energy, strategic infrastructure and manufacturing; and urge the European Commission to withdraw its ‘yellow card’ warning against exports of Vietnamese aquatic products, given the country’s strict implementation of the commission’s recommendations on illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing ) for the sustainable development of fisheries.

The two leaders reiterated the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea; settle disputes through peaceful measures based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he said.

Chancellor Scholz said Vietnam is a very important partner for German government and business, especially since the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) entered into force in 2020.

As Vietnam is one of the countries hardest hit by climate change, Germany wants to support the country in achieving its goal of reducing net carbon emissions, he said, adding that energy dialogues between two countries, launched in 2022, created a basis for exchanging opportunities and challenges.

The Chancellor also pointed out that Germany also supports Vietnam in ASEAN activities, further promoting the cooperative partnership between Germany and ASEAN. He expressed his expectation for the first EU-ASEAN summit to be held in Brussels, Belgium, next month./. ANV