Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas (R) (Source: VNA)

During a meeting in Berlin, Maas expressed his impression of Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements and global integration in recent years, its important role and position in ASEAN and Asia-Pacific as well as its positive contributions to the global community. The two sides agreed to increase the scope of their bilateral strategic partnership in various areas, and build a specific action plan to further deepen their relations. The German side spoke highly of the importance of the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and vowed to do its best to sign and ratify the deal at the earliest opportunity. The German Foreign Minister praised the  operations of the Vietnamese – German University (VGU) in Binh Duong province and expressed support for a trilateral agreement  onthe VGU. 

Both sides agreed to work closely in vocational training, judicial affairs, national defense, science and technology, and aviation. They agreed to offer support to each other through global forums and organisations, especially within the framework of the United Nations in the understanding 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 Vietnam is looking toward for a 2020-2021 tenure.