Germany remains Vietnam’s biggest trade partner in EU, says PM
(VOVWORLD) -Germany remains Vietnam’s biggest trade partner in the European Union and one of the largest EU investors in the country, with bilateral trade exceeding 11 billion USD last year, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Vietnam is currently one of Germany's largest trading partners in ASEAN and its 5th largest trading partner in Asia.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shakes hands with German Ambassador to Vietnam Guido Hildner. Photo: Van Diep/VNA
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At a reception for outgoing Ambassador Guido Hildner in Hanoi on Wednesday, PM Chinh said Vietnam values Germany’s role and leading position in Europe and the world at large, and attaches importance to deepening the bilateral strategic partnership across spheres.
According to the Prime Minister, after nearly 50 years of diplomatic ties and more than 10 years of a strategic partnership, Vietnam-Germany relations are flourishing in all fields, partly thanks to the contributions of Ambassador Guido Hildner during his term of office in Vietnam.
Speaking highly of Germany’s support for Vietnam’s joining of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), the PM called on the country to continue its close cooperation in the implementation of the partnership.
He suggested Germany grant more scholarships to Vietnamese students, and strengthen collaboration in vocational training and high-quality personnel development, saying the two countries should continue working together in maximizing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement once it comes into force.
The PM also asked Germany to urge the European Commission (EC) to remove its “yellow card” warning against Vietnamese seafood.