(VOVworld) - President Truong Tan Sang and German President Joachim Gauck expressed pleasure at the rapid development of the Vietnam-Germany strategic partnership at a press conference in Berlin on Wednesday.

President Truong Tan Sang (R) and German counterpart Joachim Gauck inspect the guard of honour in Berlin (Photo: VNA)

The two leaders agreed to enhance the exchange of delegations at all levels and effectively implement a bilateral cooperation mechanism. The two countries agreed to support each other at global and regional forums and help Vietnamese and German businesses increase cooperation and investment after the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU is signed.
Mr. Sang said: “The EU has become Vietnam’s leading trade partner and investor. When the Vietnam-EU Free Trade agreement is signed, it will promote trade cooperation and investment between the two sides. Under the FTA, Vietnam and Germany aim to double two-way turnover  within 5 years and raise FDI to at least 5 billion USD. I believe that relations between Vietnam, the EU, and Germany are entering a new chapter”.

President Sang said the two sides agree on the importance of peace-keeping and promoting cooperation and development in the world. The two leaders said the East Sea conflict should be resolved through peaceful means based on international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

President Gauck said Germany and the EU share Vietnam’s view of the East Sea issue. Mr. Gauck said Germany supports Vietnam in building a law-governed state and developing its economy.