Vietnam, Germany expect to lift ties as bilateral relations enter 50th year

THE HANOI TIMES — Vietnam and Germany on September 29 agreed to upgrade their Strategic Partnership as the two countries prepare to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2025.

The consensus was reached at a telephone conversation between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz to discuss measures to advance the Vietnam–Germany Strategic Partnership in a more substantive, effective and comprehensive manner.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive progress in bilateral relations and agreed to upgrade them to a higher level, with increasingly high-level exchanges, making full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, and promoting the establishment of joint working groups in the economy, politics and labor.

Both sides acknowledged to intensify cooperation in trade, investment, green finance, renewable energy, digital transformation, sustainable development, supporting industries, digital economy, pharmaceuticals, chemicals and transport.

They vowed to coordinate closely within the ASEAN–EU framework and at international forums, as well as supporting the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law.

The phone talks came on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh praised Germany’s role and position in the EU and internationally, and emphasized that Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening and developing the Strategic Partnership in all areas.

He proposed that Germany continue to effectively implement the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) soon, create more favorable conditions for businesses of both countries, and make science, technology and innovation a new pillar of cooperation.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz expressed admiration for Vietnam’s development potential and growing international standing, commended its recent achievements, and affirmed that Germany values the Strategic Partnership with Vietnam and wishes to expand cooperation in the green economy, energy transition, circular economy, supporting industries and logistics services.

He also extended his concern and best wishes regarding Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to overcome recent storms and floods.

Chinh asked Germany to continue facilitating the Vietnamese community’s stable life and integration in Germany so they can contribute to both countries’ development and friendship, and to promote vocational training and the recruitment of skilled workers from Vietnam to meet the labor market needs of both sides.

On this occasion, the two prime ministers cordially invited each other to pay official visits at a mutually convenient time to continue discussions on measures to strengthen the relations.

Strong relationship built by people

Regarding human factor, former German Ambassador to Vietnam Dr. Guido Hildner stressed the importance of Vietnamese-German people-to-people exchanges and bilateral ties.

“Relations between countries are not only determined by governments, but to a large extent by people,” Dr. Guido Hildner said in an interview with The Hanoi Times, saying that they give liveliness, permanence and depth to relationships.

“The Vietnamese community in Germany forms an important bridge between our countries. The community is well integrated and welcome in Germany. And it is growing,” he stated.

Meanwhile, people in Vietnam have a clear notion of German assistance in different fields. Additionally, Vietnam is home to more than 100,000 German speakers and German is one of the popular second languages in the country.

He shared that in all his meetings in the country, he encountered a warm welcome and generous hospitality. Incidentally, this also applies in the opposite direction.

“Vietnam is very popular in Germany. Germans look at Vietnam with a lot of recognition and sympathy and have great respect for the achievements of the Vietnamese. This mutual affection is a solid foundation of our friendship. This is how the friendship was able to survive the pandemic unscathed.”

In addition, the German Government offers attractive education and employment opportunities. Around 7,500 Vietnamese are currently studying in Germany. There are a number of scholarship programs. Germany has opened up to foreign skilled workers. This also results in interesting job opportunities for professionally qualified Vietnamese.

Germany’s presence in Vietnam is also visible through institutions such as the Goethe-Institut in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Deutsches Haus Ho Chi Minh City, the Vietnamese-German University, and the German Academic Exchange Service, which coordinates more than 170 cooperation projects with Vietnamese universities.

“These institutions make our partnership concrete, implement projects, and bring people together. They make a significant contribution to the substance, diversity and vitality of our relationship.”

In addition, Germany’s support to Vietnam comes from different stakeholders. Dr. Hildner said: “What makes me particularly happy is that in Germany not only the federal government, but also other actors such as the federal states or private initiatives are involved in supporting Vietnam.”

As a result, Germany was the biggest European donor of Covid-19 vaccines and medical equipment to Vietnam.

Hildner highlighted Germany’s Indo-Pacific Policy Guidelines of 2020, which aim to strengthen the international rules-based order and emphasize freedom of navigation under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982. He recalled the 2022 visit of the German frigate Bayern to Ho Chi Minh City as a symbolic step in this direction.

Overall, he said, Vietnam–Germany relations are comprehensive, with three long-term priorities: environmental protection, energy and climate, and vocational training.

“In the new German development policy strategy, Vietnam was classified as a global partner country,” he noted.