Top legislator meets with visiting German President

Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at their meetingin Hanoi on January 23. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam always values and prioritises the development of relations with Germany, affirmed Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue at his meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Hanoi on January 23.

Vietnam wants to deepen its strategic partnership with Germany through the party, parliamentary and government channels, as well as people-to-people exchanges, said the top legislator.

Hue proposed Steinmeier back the two sides in enhancing their parliamentary collaboration, coordinating in organising activities marking the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations next year, and promoting close cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums.

Sharing that his delegation includes German parliamentarians as well as businesses eyeing investment opportunities in Vietnam, President Steinmeier agreed that economic cooperation is the backbone of the Vietnam-Germany ties, which is robustly developing with much potential.

Lauding the German business community’s positive contributions to improving Vietnam’s legal framework, Hue affirmed that the NA always listens to feedback and strives to better the local business climate. He suggested that the president continue to support and encourage German companies to invest and operate in Vietnam, especially regarding the sectors of heavy industry, energy, medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and transport infrastructure.

NA Chairman Hue thanked Germany for supporting the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and proposed President Steinmeier assist the early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

Hue thanked the German government for providing official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam over the past three decades, contributing significantly to the nation’s socio-economic development. Vietnam hopes to receive further assistance and cooperation from Germany in this regard.

He hoped that Germany would help Vietnam access green financial sources to cope with climate change, develop a green and sustainable economy, and implement the COP 26 commitments towards net-zero emissions by 2050. The European country’s technology transfer and further experience sharing in institutional building and workforce training are also welcomed.

Steinmeier remarked Germany will improve and simplify procedures for receiving specialised labour from Vietnam.

Germany is interested in technological cooperation with Vietnam, he said, adding that with the goal of achieving net zero emissions, the two countries will soon collaborate in this field.

Pleased to see that the relationship between the two parliaments continues to be consolidated and developed bilaterally and multilaterally, Hue highly commended the sides’ delegation exchanges at the high level and between their specialised committees and friendship parliamentary groups as well as their consultations at international forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP).

The NA is improving the legal system and wishes to cooperate and exchange experiences with Germany, Hue said. He proposed that the countries’ parliaments enhance coordination in supervising and pushing the implementation of the two government’s cooperative agreements and strategic cooperation projects. The legislative bodies’ support for the sides’ governments, localities, businesses, and peoples in enhancing their exchanges and cooperation is also necessary, he added, suggesting the German president support the establishment of the Germany-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group./.