Germany supports recognition of Viet Nam’s market economy

29/02/2008 -- 8:33 PM

Ha Noi (VNA) – Visiting German Deputy Prime Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier says his government will work to support the European Commission’s recognition of Viet Nam as a market economy. During his talks with Vietnamese counterpart Pham Gia Khiem in Ha Noi on February 29, Deputy PM Steinmeier encouraged comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and the European Union and lauded Viet Nam’s achievements in the renewal and its open foreign policy. He said he was pleased with the project to set up the Viet Nam-Germany University in Ho Chi Minh City and spoke of projects to build a German International School in Viet Nam and a German House in Ho Chi Minh City that would serve as a destination for German agencies, organisations and businesses in the city. The German Deputy PM also said his country would facilitate Vietnamese students to study in Germany through improved policies on graduate and post-graduate scholarships. Deputy PM and FM Pham Gia Khiem expressed thanks for the fine sentiments and assistance that the German government and people have given to Viet Nam . He said he appreciated Germany ’s wish to boost multi-faceted cooperation with Viet Nam, and considered it an important partner in the region. The two officials also agreed to boost ties, particularly in economic, trade, investment, scientific and technological, education, legislature and environment fields. They agreed to take 2010 as the Year of Viet Nam-Germany Relationship, where the two countries will organise a Germany Festival in Viet Nam and a Viet Nam Festival in Germany to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic ties. They also agreed to set up a mechanism for political exchange between the two Foreign Ministries, which will begin this year. After the talks, the two Deputy PMs signed a joint statement on cooperation in legislature and justice between the two governments. They then witnessed the signing of a joint declaration on the establishment of the Germany-Viet Nam University (GVU) in Ho Chi Minh City and a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) on the assistance to the GVU project. During a meeting with the press on the same day, Deputy PM Khiem said Viet Nam would be active in improving its investment environment to facilitate foreign investors. Deputy PM Steinmeier said bilateral trade ties have been developing but still modest. According to him, many Germans lacked information and still viewed Viet Nam as a war-torn country. He said his ministry and the Economic Ministry would make report of Viet Nam’s current situation to change the German people’s thoughts of Viet Nam . Germany is now Viet Nam’s largest European trade partner with two-way trade value worth more than 3 billion USD in 2007. The country is ranking fifth among European investors in Viet Nam.-Enditem
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