President Vo Van Thuong presided over the welcoming ceremony for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier on his state visit, with a 21-gun salute.
At the welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace this afternoon, President Vo Van Thuong and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier exchanged flags amidst the resounding sound of a 21-gun salute fired at Thang Long Imperial Citadel. This is the most solemn welcoming ceremony in Vietnam's diplomatic protocol.
The two leaders reviewed the honor guard of the Vietnam People's Army, then held talks to discuss bilateral cooperation and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents.
President Vo Van Thuong and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier at the welcoming ceremony at the Presidential Palace on the afternoon of January 23. Photo: Vu Anh
President Steinmeier and his wife are paying a state visit to Vietnam on January 23-24, and are expected to participate in several activities in Hanoi before visiting and surveying German projects in Ho Chi Minh City and the surrounding area.
Economic and trade cooperation is one of the key focuses of the visit. The business delegation accompanying President Steinmeier is expected to participate in a roundtable discussion with German businesses and organizations operating in Vietnam.
Mr. Steinmeier, 68, visited Vietnam as Foreign Minister in 2008 and Deputy Prime Minister in 2016, making significant contributions to bilateral relations and showing interest in the development and integration of the Vietnamese community in Germany.
He has held the office of President of Germany since March 2017. This position represents Germany as head of state and has the authority to appoint members of the government and judges of the Federal Court. President Steinmeier's visit comes more than a year after Chancellor Olaf Scholz's official visit to Vietnam.
Vietnam and Germany established diplomatic relations on September 23, 1975. The two countries established a Strategic Partnership in 2011. Germany is Vietnam's largest trading partner in Europe, accounting for nearly 20% of Vietnam's exports to the European Union (EU), and is also an important transit gateway for Vietnamese goods to other European markets. Bilateral trade turnover in 2023 reached over US$11 billion.
Currently, there are over 350 German businesses operating in Vietnam. As of May 2023, Germany had 444 active projects with a total registered investment capital of over US$2.36 billion, ranking fourth in the EU and 18th among 143 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Vietnamese businesses have 11 active investment projects in Germany with a total investment capital (including adjustments) exceeding US$30.95 million.
Germany is one of the countries that provides Vietnam with the most and most consistent ODA (Official Development Assistance), with over $2 billion allocated to ODA projects from 1990 to the present.
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