(VOVWORLD) - Multiple external relations activities are taking place in Vietnam during the last months of this year. In addition to Vietnamese leaders’ overseas trips and participation in multilateral forums, Vietnam is welcoming several leaders on official visits. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Arden are visiting Vietnam in order to create new momentum for stronger bilateral ties.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosts a welcome ceremony for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on the latter's official visit to Vietnam from November 13 to 14 (photo: VOV) |
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz began a two-day official visit to Vietnam on Sunday. This is the first visit by a German Chancellor to Vietnam in 11 years, since Ms. Angela Merkel’s visit in 2011. This is also the first high-ranking visit between the two countries in 5 years, since they both set up new governments.
New chapter in Vietnam-Germany relationship
The visit is of great significance to the two countries in the context of the successful implementation of their Strategic Partnership Agreement over the past decade and the great achievements of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) which took effect 2 years ago.
During their talks on Sunday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chancellor Scholz agreed to expand the two countries’ markets, maintain the supply chain, deploy a new metro line project in Hanoi involving German partners, and boost cooperation in renewable energy development and climate change response.
They pledged to work closely in various fields, including national defense and security, education, technology, health care, culture, investment, and migrant labor. The two countries will accelerate the signing of an agreement on high-quality vocational training and a cooperative agreement on skill labor migration.
Vietnam and Germany approved the 2023-2024 Action Plan to enhance their strategic partnership and provide a long-term vision for the partnership from now to 2030 and beyond.
On this occasion, they signed a Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation, their first strategic defense agreement.
Chancellor Scholz’s visit opens a new chapter in Germany-Vietnam cooperation and friendship, and demonstrates Germany's growing respect for Vietnam as a reliable and stable partner.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern (photo: VNA) |
Creating new momentum for Vietnam-New Zealand Comprehensive Partnership
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern is on a 4-day official visit to Vietnam, starting from Monday. The visit is a testament to the development of the Vietnam-New Zealand Comprehensive Partnership.
New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson said: "During the last 2 years, I’m pleased to say that despite the challenges of COVID, the relationship has just continued to go from strength to strength. We have been able to maintain our contact at every level. Our ministers have stayed in touch albeit virtually. Our students have continued to work hard online and connected through new online programs. Of course, tourism hasn’t been possible. I’m really pleased to say that our two communities have stayed in contact."
"The visit is an opportunity to connect face to face for the Prime Minister to see Vietnam and how much it has developed in just a few short years since her last visit. And of course, to share with the people of Vietnam how special our relationship has become," said the Ambassador.
 New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson (Photo: VGP) |
During the visit, Prime Minister Ardern and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will discuss measures to recover the bilateral economy, and trade and tourism ties that were interrupted by the pandemic. A series of events are being organized on this occasion, including the “New Zealand-Vietnam Business Dialogue” and the “AgriConnectioNZ Dialogue and Exhibition: Strategic Partnership in Agriculture.”
These events will be an opportunity for businesses and research institutions in both countries to share their experience.
Prime Minister Ardern is accompanied by a large business delegation, which reflects the two countries’ determination to increase two-way trade turnover to 2 billion USD by 2024.
Ambassador Dobson said: " One of the great advantages that Vietnam and New Zealand businesses have is that we are two of the most integrated economies in the Indo-Pacific. I would say the same thing for Vietnamese exporters looking to export to New Zealand know your market. Vietnam has their equivalent to NZTE in New Zealand. They can guide Vietnamese companies on the New Zealand market from the Vietnamese perspective, which of course, I don’t necessarily have but I do believe we can do more and that’s true thing like business to business cooperation.
The New Zealand Prime Minister’s first official visit to Vietnam is expected to propel the two countries' relations to a new level.