Vietnam treasures strategic partnership with Germany

The affirmation was made by Party Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong during his phone talks with German Chancellor and leader of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) Olaf Scholz on March 31.

The Party chief congratulated Olaf Scholz and the newly elected Government of Germany, with President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on re-election for a second term, and the recent successes of the SPD.

The German Chancellor, in turn, congratulated Vietnam on its success in national development, coupled with rising international role and position, while affirming his nation's recognition of importance to the Germany-Vietnam strategic partnership which boats great potential for continued strong growth moving forward.

He proposed that the two countries step up political cooperation bilaterally and at international forums as well as economic cooperation, including promoting the strengths of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and accelerate the implementation of German projects in Vietnam on climate change response, and COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control.

Trong briefed Olaf Scholz on Vietnam's achievements after more than 35 years of pursuing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, the country's development path, foreign policy, and goal of becoming a developed country by 2045.

Trong suggested both nations strengthen political ties, including the exchange of delegations, especially high-level ones, and reinforce relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and political parties in Germany, including the ruling SPD.

The Vietnamese Party leader proposed increasing bilateral cooperation in investment, trade, science, technology, education, defence and security on a part with the strategic partnership.

He underlined the need to capitalize on opportunities from the EVFTA, cooperate in areas that the two countries attach importance to, such as green growth, climate change adaptation, environmental protection, digital transformation, COVID-19 pandemic prevention and control, education, training and vocational training.

Trong also asked the German Government continue to pay attention to creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese nationals living in Germany.

The two leaders consented to direct the promotion of cooperation in areas of mutual interest in the coming time and discussed regional and international issues of shared concern.

Regarding the East Sea, the two sides agreed on the necessity of maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, development and respect for international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Olaf Scholz expressed Germany's stance on the situation in Ukraine.

In this regard, General Secretary Trong reiterated that Vietnam's consistent policy is to respect the fundamental principles of the United Nations, including respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of nations, peaceful settlement of international disputes without use of force and threat of use of force.

He hopes that relevant parties will promote dialogue and negotiation to end fighting and restore peace on the basis of respecting the legitimate interests of all parties in accordance with international law.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese Party chief invited the German Chancellor to visit Vietnam and his invitation was graciously accepted.