Berlin (VNA) – Vietnam’s relations withmember economies of the G20 are being expanded and intensified, VietnameseAmbassador to Germany Doan Xuan Hung told the press.

He had an interview with the media aboutrelations between Vietnam and the forum of the 20 biggest economies on thethreshold of a meeting of G20 foreign ministers in Germany’s Bonn city onFebruary 16-17.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister PhamBinh Minh will lead a Vietnamese delegation to the meeting.

Ambassador Hung said amidst difficulties in theworld economy in recent years, along with other international institutions, theG20, established in 1999, has helped maintain global macro-economic stabilityand assisted economies to overcome crises through policy coordination invarious spheres.

The G20 has carried out many initiatives ineconomic, social and environmental issues to ensure global economic stabilityand sustainability, such as by developing infrastructure, preventing climatechange, supporting underdeveloped countries, promoting gender equality, andfighting corruption, he added.

Noting the sound development of Vietnam’scooperation with G20 members, he said 10 member economies of the G20 have astrategic partnership with Vietnam while two others have a comprehensivepartnership with the nation.

Vietnam attended a G20 summit for the first timein 2010 as Chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ThenPrime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made effective contributions to G20 activitiesthat year.

Although it has not taken part in G20 summits since2010, the Southeast Asian nation has kept close watch on the focuses of theG20. It has also coordinated with other countries and internationalorganisations on common issues such as global and regional macro-economicstabilisation, trade and investment facilitation, sustainable development, andclimate change adaption, Hung noted.

He said in 2017, Vietnam, as the host of theAPEC Year, was invited to the G20 Summit and related meetings. This is also thefirst time an APEC host country which is not a member of the G20 has beeninvited to a G20 summit.

The diplomat said that Germany, the host of theG20 this year, invited his country to G20 meetings since Germany and other G20members value the role of APEC, as well as Vietnam’s growing stature andcontributions to regional and global work. This also demonstrates the strongrelationship between Vietnam and Germany.

The theme of G20 meetings this year – “Shapingan interconnected world” – share many similarities with priorities of the APECYear 2017 such as looking towards sustainable, creative and inclusive growth;enhancing economic, trade and investment connectivity; encouraging innovation;and cooperation in fighting climate change.

This is an opportunity to connect the agendafocuses of APEC and the G20 so as to increase regional and global coordinationin dealing with economic matters, he added.

The ambassador said the meeting of the G20foreign ministers is an important activity to prepare for the G20 Summit slatedfor July.

With the policy of proactively integrating intothe world and being a trustworthy partner, Vietnam will work with othercountries to promote issues of shared concern such as increasing partnerships, helpingdeveloping countries realise Sustainable Development Goals, and boostingcooperation to consolidate a peaceful and stable environment in the region andthe world, Hung noted.-VNA