Vietnam desires Germany to facilitate its access to COVID-19 vaccines
VOV.VN - Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son has suggested Germany facilitate Vietnam’s access to COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine production technology, as the latter is expanding its vaccination programme to achieve the dual goal of combating the pandemic and revitalizing the national economy.
During a phone conversation with his German counterpart Heiko Maas on May 25, Son affirmed his nation’s recognition of importance to further promoting and deepening the strategic partnership with Germany.
The two diplomats showed their elation at the strong, comprehensive, and effective development of bilateral ties since the establishment of a strategic partnership a decade ago.
They agreed upon measures to boost economic-trade-investment, science-technology, renewable energy, vocational training, and medical cooperation.
The pair vowed to soon build the Vietnam - Germany strategic action plan for the 2022-2023 period, with a particular focus on the exchange of high-level visits, boosting dialogue mechanisms and collaboration.
The German diplomat hailed Vietnam’s COVID-19 containment efforts and the close cooperation between the two countries to tackle the crisis.
He also applauded the Southeast Asian nation’s role and position in carrying out Germany’s policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacific to enhance bilateral links in economy, trade-investment, sustainable development, and national defence-security.
Son congratulated Germany on its major achievements in vaccine roll-out and pandemic control. He thanked the country and the EU for providing vaccines to Vietnam via the COVAX facility.
He glowingly spoke of Germany’s active and constructive role in the region and thanked it for actively supporting Vietnam - EU cooperation, especially in accelerating the signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). He also proposed the German Government and legislature speed up the adoption of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA)
Both sides expressed their appreciation for their close liaison and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially in 2020 when they served as non-permanent members of the United Nations Security Council and Vietnam performed the role of ASEAN Chair and Germany was rotating President of the EU in the second half of the year.
Regarding regional and global issues, they upheld compliance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), for the sake of peace and stability in the region and the wider world.
They highlighted ASEAN’s central role and backed the promotion of dialogue and efforts to seek sustainable solutions for peace in Myanmar.