Germany fully supports the EU- Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and believes the deal would take bilateral cooperation to a new height, according to German Ambassador to Vietnam Guido Hildner.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and German Ambassador to Vietnam Guido Hildner. Source: VGP.

Germany considers Vietnam a strategic partner and expects closer ties between the two countries, Hildner said at a meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on October 31.

Hildner tipped that four German delegations this week had visited Vietnam to deepen cooperation in the fields of economy, science, and environment. He proposed the two countries focus in climate, environment, energy and vocational training.

According to Hildner, Germany supports peace, freedom and safe of navigation in the South China Sea based on international law.

Hildner expected more cooperation between the two countries in 2020 as both will hold the position of non-permanent members of the UN Security Council; Vietnam will take over the ASEAN chairmanship and Germany the rotating six-month presidency of the EU in the second half of 2020.

Vietnam’s PM Phuc suggested Vietnam and Germany soon set up a strategic action plan for the 2019 – 2021 period, while closely cooperating in organizing a series of events celebrating 45^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations by 2020.

Phuc expected Germany to facilitate the approval of EVFTA and the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) at the European Commission, ensuring the soon enactment of these agreements.

On this occasion, Phuc thanked the German government and the EU for voicing their strong support for settling territorial disputes in the South China Sea through peaceful measures and based on international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Germany has been Vietnam’s top trading partner in the EU with bilateral trade turnover of US$10.8 billion in 2018.

However, German investment inflow to Vietnam remains modest at nearly US$2 billion to date, ranking fourth among EU countries, Phuc said.

Phuc requested the German Ambassador to support the implementation of major projects between the two countries and promote stronger investment from Germany to Vietnam.