Vietnam, Germany enjoy growing ties in multiple fields despite COVID-19

This view was shared by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs To Anh Dung and State Secretary of Germany’s Federal Foreign Office Miguel Berger during the sixth meeting held on April 16 between both side’s strategic management group via an online platform.

Deputy Minister Dung detailed the country’s diplomatic orientations and policies following the 13th National Party Congress and stated the great importance of Germany’s important role and stature in both Europe and the wider world.

Vietnam has strong aspirations to further ramp up and develop the strategic partnership with the Central European country, which was originally established in 2011, Deputy Minister Dung told the German official.

Upon congratulating the nation on the success of the 13th National Party Congress, State Secretary Berger lauded Vietnamese efforts to control the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that Germany places importance on the country’s role in the implementation of its policy guidelines for the Indo-Pacific region. Indeed, this policy was adopted by the German Government in September, 2020.

The co-operation contents under the countries’ strategic action plan for the 2019 to 2022 period are being implemented on schedule, including the establishment of a joint committee for economic co-operation and activities within the framework of the dialogue on law-governed states. This is along with security and defence co-operation and the establishment of the Vietnamese-German University, the two officials said.

They added that last year, when both countries were non-permanent members of the UN Security Council, Vietnam was Chair of ASEAN, and Germany was President of the EU, they co-ordinated closely in order to boost ties between ASEAN and the EU to the status of a strategic partnership. This was done whilst promoting security, peace, the issue of climate change, and COVID-19 prevention efforts, thereby helping to deal with global concerns.

As a means of further ramping up the joint strategic partnership, both sides consented to developing a strategic action plan for the next period, increasing contact and mutual visits at all levels, and stepping up collaboration in priority fields. This includes in politics, diplomacy, security, defence, trade, investment, development co-operation, renewable energy, digitalisation, and vocational training.

The pair stated their intention to redouble efforts to connect and assist the process of firms from each side seeking greater investment and business opportunities in each other’s markets whilst tapping into chances generated by the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to drive post-pandemic economic recovery.

Germany has therefore pledged support for the country in its efforts to bolster comprehensive co-operation with the EU, while also pushing the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the German parliament.

Furthermore, the nation welcomes German initiatives to contribute to peace, stability, co-operation, and development in the Asia-Pacific region, whilst also showing support for the EU nation as they strengthen relations with ASEAN.

Both sides agreed to maintain closer co-operation ties and mutual support at international organisations and forums, especially the UN, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and ASEAN-EU co-operation.

During the course of the meeting, officials also discussed a host of international and regional issues that are of shared concern

Both voiced their concern over recent complex developments in the East Sea, reiterating the support for the settlement of all disputes by peaceful means and on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

State Secretary Berger added that Germany backs ASEAN’s efforts to optimise the bloc’s centrality as a contribution to ensuring regional peace, stability, and prosperity.