Prime Minister Le Minh Hung holds phone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

In an open and trustworthy atmosphere, the two leaders spoke highly of the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP) between the two countries over the past time, and engaged in in-depth discussions on measures to further consolidate political trust and maintain the growth momentum of the bilateral ties.

Prime Minister Le affirmed Viet Nam attaches importance to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Germany, suggesting both sides should continue to step up delegation exchanges across all levels and channels and promote the role of their existing cooperation mechanisms, thereby creating favorable foundations to expand cooperation in areas of mutual interests.

Le called on the two sides to double efforts to soon raise the two-way trade volume to US$20 billion, promising to facilitate German investors' investment expansion in such fields like manufacturing, auto industry, healthcare, and energy transition. He also urged Germany to enhance the connectivity of financial and securities markets with Viet Nam and encourage financial institutions and investors to join Viet Nam's international financial center.

The Vietnamese Prime Minister appreciated Germany's ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), calling on Germany to push for prompt ratification of the EVIPA by the remaining EU member countries, and for EC's removal of "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood exports.

On defense, security, and human resource development cooperation, Le suggested the two countries expand collaboration in UN peacekeeping operations, promote vocational training in Viet Nam, and increase scholarships for Vietnamese students.

Le called on Germany to further simplify visa procedures for Vietnamese citizens and facilitate deeper integration of the Vietnamese community in the host country in a bid to tighten friendship and ties between the two nations.

Chancellor Merz noted with pleasure at the fine development of the bilateral ties, expressing his wish to strengthen the presence of German businesses in Viet Nam's large-scale and effective cooperation projects. He agreed to strengthen cooperation in transport, logistics, air connectivity, green transition, and climate change adaptation; fruitfully implement the Viet Nam-Germany Energy Partnership framework; and make science, technology and innovation a key pillar of bilateral relations in the coming period.

The two leaders agreed to meet in person soon in both bilateral and multilateral settings. Chancellor Merz invited Prime Minister Le to visit Germany while Prime Minister Le also invited Chancellor Merz to visit Viet Nam at an early date./.