Defended ties with Germany

The PM made the statement at a meeting with German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin on Thursday. PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his hope that Germany would encourage investments in Vietnam in processing, manufacturing, clean energy, and the food industry. President Steinmeier said there was great potential for bilateral co-operation as the EU free trade agreement will be signed and the German House in HCM City would open in the third quarter this year. Discussing several regional and international issues of shared concern, President Steinmeier said Germany supported maritime freedom in the East Sea, and the settlement of disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law.