Germany–Vietnam relations
Germany–Vietnam relations refers to the bilateral relations between Germany and Vietnam.
Germany |
Vietnam |
---|
Germany has an embassy in Hanoi while Vietnam has an embassy in Berlin.
2017 kidnapping of Trịnh Xuân Thanh
In 2017, Trịnh Xuân Thanh, a former communist party member and businessman who was accused of being corrupt, was secretly abducted and kidnapped in Berlin by a group of unnamed Vietnamese personnel believed to be Vietnamese agents in Germany. In response, Germany accused Vietnam for "violating the territorial rights of Germany" and ordered a total expulsion of a number of Vietnamese foreign officials in Germany.[1] Germany also suspended Vietnamese workers from going to Germany to start for investigation.[2] Although tensions have been lessened, the German officials remain skeptical and distrust toward their Vietnamese counterparts, and sometimes the abduction was often retold as a consequence of distrusts.
Agreements
In October 2011, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng signed the "Hanoi Declaration", establishing a Strategic Partnership between Germany and Vietnam that is designed to strengthen political, economic and cultural relations and development cooperation.[3]
Economic relations
Vietnam is in the process of ratifying a free trade agreement with the European Union which includes Germany as Europe's largest economy. In 2016, bilateral trade was worth US$10.3 billion.[3]
Education cooperation
The Vietnamese-German University was opened in Ho Chi Minh City in September 2008.[3]
See also
References
- Germany expels Vietnam diplomat after kidnapping https://www.ft.com/content/c1265d84-778a-11e7-90c0-90a9d1bc9691
- Berlin 'abduction' of Vietnamese businessman sparks spat http://www.dw.com/en/berlin-abduction-of-vietnamese-businessman-sparks-spat/a-39941556
- http://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/EN/Aussenpolitik/Laender/Laenderinfos/01-Nodes/Vietnam_node.html