BERLIN — German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas on Wednesday described the ongoing visit by Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh as laying a foundation to develop bilateral ties.

During a meeting in Berlin, Maas also expressed his respect for Việt Nam’s socio-economic achievements and global integration in recent years, its important role in ASEAN and Asia-Pacific as well as positive contributions to the global community.

Minh agreed that both sides should further facilitate all-level visits and affirmed that Việt Nam treasures its partnership with Germany, considering it a priority partner in Europe.

The two sides agreed to increase bilateral partnerships in diverse areas, and build a specific action plan to deepen their relations.

The Deputy PM thanked Germany for its support in development projects, including metro line No 2 in HCM City and renewable energy projects.

He wished that Germany would maintain its supply of official development assistance to Việt Nam in fields of Germany’s strength and Việt Nam’s demand.

Both sides expressed delight at progress in bilateral economic, trade and investment ties with two-way trade topping US$10 billion last year, an additional $1 billion from 2017.

Germany remains Việt Nam’s top trade partner in the EU while the upcoming inauguration of Deutsches Haus (German House) in HCM City is expected to boost the bilateral trade and investment.

The German side spoke highly of the importance of the EU-Việt Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and vowed to do its best for the deal to be signed and ratified as soon as possible.

The host was satisfied about the effective operations of the Vietnamese-German University (VGU) in the southern province of Bình Dương.

He agreed on joint work with Việt Nam in vocational training for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and expressed willingness to enhance cooperation with Việt Nam in the use and training of Vietnamese nurses in Germany.

Host and guest vowed to work closely together in judicial affairs, national defence, science-technology and aviation.

They agreed to support each other at global forums and organisations, especially within the United Nations framework in the context that Germany will undertake the role of EU Chair by 2020, and is now a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council – a position that Việt Nam is running for in the 2020-21 tenure.

Both sides shared stances on regional and global issues of mutual concern, especially support for trade liberalisation, maintenance of multilateral mechanisms and respect for international law. — VNS