PM Dung holds talks with German Chancellor

PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R) and German Chancellor Merkel, October 15, 2014 - Photo: VGP

She made the statement at the talks with PM Nguyen Tan Dung on October 15.

The two PMs expressed their pleasure at the fine developments of the strategic partnership established during the German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s official visit to Viet Nam in 2011.

They also noted with pleasure that the bilateral economic ties have been advanced in various aspects. Germany has been the biggest European trade partner of Viet Nam with the two-way trade volume standing at US$7 billion last year.

Both sides agreed to accelerate the exchange of delegations at all levels in a bid to give an impetus for the bilateral all-round cooperation; coordinate closely in organizing practical activities to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2015; beef up the progress of joint projects, including the construction of the Metro Line No.2 in Ho Chi Minh City; and create favorable conditions for investment inflows in respective countries.

PM Dung thanked Germany for providing official assistance development (ODA) for Viet Nam’s efforts in socio-economic development and international integration while the German Government pledged to continue ODA provision for three priority areas of energy, environmental protection and vocational training in Viet Nam.

The German side affirmed its support for Viet Nam to build and develop the Viet Nam-German University – a symbol of education and training cooperation between the two countries - into a regional-level one.

Chancellor Merkel highly valued the role of the community of 125,000 Vietnamese in her country, saying her Government will continue facilitating the community’s deeper integration into the host society.

Regarding the regional and international issues of common concern, the two PMs agreed to foster mutual support and cooperation at multilateral forums and international organizations like the UN and ASEM.

German backs early conclusion of the Viet Nam-EU free trade agreement talks and recognition of Viet Nam’s market economy status, welcoming the signing of the Joint Statement on direction of concluding EVFTA negotiations between PM Nguyen Tan Dung and EC President Manuel Barroso.

For the East Sea issue, PM Merkel asserted that Germany advocates Viet Nam’s stance of settling disputes through peaceful measures, on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), regarding it as an effective method to resolve divergences.