Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam wants to enhance cooperation with Germany, hoping theEuropean nation will provide support in developing small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), digitaltechnology, and boosting startup development and innovation, Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc told visiting German Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy PeterAltmaier.

During a reception for Altmaier in Hanoi on March 25, PM Phuc suggested that theGerman side strengthen investment cooperation with Vietnam, especially in infrastructureand energy development projects, as well as university-level education.

Thetwo sides need to focus on measures to promote the two-way trade turnover onthe basis of their potential, he said, adding that Vietnam hopes Germany will officiallysign and adopt the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Hethanked the German government’s willingness to strengthen cooperation withVietnam, while appreciating the cooperation between German states andVietnamese localities alongside the European country’s loosening of legalconditions for receiving Vietnamese labourers to work in Germany.

Altmaier, for his part, highlighted the potential for the two countries toexpand their cooperation, adding that Germany wishes to enhance its friendship withVietnam.

He hoped the two sides will continue to work closely in order to speed up theprogress of the Metro No.2 project in Ho Chi Minh City.

Germany wants to develop artificial intelligence, digitalisation, and startups inVietnam, he said, affirming that his country is willing to invite Vietnamesefirms to join Germany’s SME renovation programme.

Altmaier stressed that his country is ready to cooperate with Vietnam in renewable  energy development and education and training.

In his response, PM Phuc said the Vietnamese government is making every effortto accelerate the construction of Metro No.2, adding that the country is alsopromoting technology development amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Hesaid that Germany’s ODA-fundedprojects have made important contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economicdevelopment, expressing his hope that the German government willcontinue to provide ODA capital for Vietnam in the process.

TheVietnamese leader said Altmaier’s visit to Vietnam is an important event towardsenhancing the relations between the two countries.

Germany is now the largest tradepartner of Vietnam in the European Union (EU) in particular and Europe ingeneral, with their two-way trade recording impressive growth in recentyears. Many German firms are nowsuccessfully operating in Vietnam. –VNA