Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc affirmedthat Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening the strategic partnershipwith Germany during a reception in Hanoi on October 31 for newly-appointedGerman Ambassador to Vietnam Guido Hildner.

The PM believed that with his wealth of experience, theambassador will make practical contributions to bilateral strategic partnershipin the near future.

The Vietnamese government, ministries, agencies andlocalities are ready to create favourable conditions for the ambassador tofulfill assigned tasks, he said.

Hildner, for his part, lauded Vietnam as an importantstrategic partner of Germany and informed his host that four German delegationswill visit Vietnam this week to carry forward coordination in economy, scienceand environment.

He suggested the two countries should further enhance ties inclimate, environment, energy and vocational training.

The ambassador stressed that the recent signing of the EVFTAis a boon for Vietnam – Europe ties as well as Vietnam – Germany ties inparticular.

The diplomat expressed Germany’s stance on supporting peace,stability, freedom, maritime and aviation security and safety in the East Seain line with international law.

In his view, the two countries will have more cooperationopportunities when they both serve as non-permanent members of the UnitedNations Security Council for the 2020 – 2021 tenure, Vietnam becomes ASEANChair in 2020 and Germany takes up the rotating EU Chair in the second half of2020.

PM Phuc proposed the two countries soon build a strategicaction plan for the 2019 – 2021 term and work together in holding celebrationsfor the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, as well asfacilitating the exchange of high-level visits.

The host asked Germany to push for the European Parliament’sratification of EVFTA and the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement tobenefit all sides.

He also called on German government and the EU to continueraising strong voice to support the settlement of disputes in the East Sea bypeaceful means in line with international law, particularly the 1982 UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

According to him, Germany has been the top trade partner ofVietnam for many years with a two-way trade of 10.8 billion USD last year. However,German investment in Vietnam still stays modest at roughly 2 billion USD,ranking fourth among European member states.

PM Phuc expressed hope that the ambassador will work withagencies concerned to promote investment ties./.