Vietnam, Germany vow to deepen bilateral ties

Vietnam and Germany vowed here Friday to deepen bilateral ties, especially in economics, trade and investment.

The remark was made during a meeting between Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Norbert Lammert, president of German Bundestag, lower house of parliament, in Hanoi on Friday during the latter's visit to Vietnam.

According to Dung, the two countries'cooperation over past years has brought practical benefits to the development of both Vietnam and Germany. The Vietnamese prime minister also expected the two sides to exchange more visits and promote the implementation of new projects and programs.

Dung urged German's support for the early signing of Vietnam- European Union free trade agreement, and recognition of Vietnam as a market economy, Vietnamese government's website quoted Dung as saying on Friday.

The Vietnamese host took the occasion to send condolences to German leaders and people over the recent plane accident that claimed lives of many German citizens.

Lammert, for his part, told the meeting that his country attaches great importance to cooperation with Vietnam in various areas. He hoped Vietnamese government would continue creating favorable conditions for German companies to invest and in Vietnam.

The year 2015 witnesses the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Germany and Vietnam. Germany pledged to further boost cooperation projects in Vietnam, especially in education, said the German guest, adding that Germany-Vietnam University in southern Ho Chi Minh City is among the most vivid and concrete proofs of their bilateral ties.

Lammert is visiting Vietnam to take part in the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union which will be held in Hanoi from March 28 to April 1. Endi