State President meets German President

The two state leaders agreed that their countries have become not only strategic partners but also friends based on mutual understanding and respect. They stressed the need to increase exchanges and implement effective mechanisms to further promote the strategic partnership in the time ahead.

The two sides agreed to create favourable conditions for businesses from the two countries to foster links, investment and trade.

"I’m optimistic about the future prospects of trade and investment between the two countries. Europe has always been an important partner to Vietnam. Among the countries of the EU, Germany has been Vietnam’s biggest partner. I believe that when the EU Vietnam FTA takes effect, tariffs will be lowered to 0% and more investment will be facilitated between the two sides", State President said.

Sang thanked the German government for maintaining aid to Vietnam over past years, contributing significantly to the achievement of poverty reduction and economic development. He also highly valued Germany’s continuing support for Vietnam during the 2015-2017 period, focusing on energy, the environment, and vocational training.

Regarding regional and global issues, the two sides expressed their concern over the increasing construction of artificial islands by China which threatens peace, stability, security and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea.

The German president underscored the importance of settling disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means and in line with international law.

President Sang proposed that Germany to continue to raise its voice in the G7 and EU to support Vietnam and ASEAN in settling the East Sea dispute via peaceful measures and in line with international law.