Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) meets German Foreign Minister Sigma Gabriel on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (Photo: VNA) Minh made the request at adiscussion on the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development during the worldleading developing and emerging economies (G20) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting inBonn, Germany on February 16, in which he participated as Foreign Minister ofthe APEC 2017 host country.
Minh highlighted the importanceof global cooperation in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
He also lauded the assistance of G20members in encouraging the sustainable use of water resources and climatechange response efforts in the Mekong River basin.
Saying that the stability of theglobal economy is a crucial condition for development, he praised the effortsof G20 economies in maintaining macro-economic and global financial stability.
Minh said that trade is a driverfor economic growth and job creation, while calling for countries to increasecollaboration in boosting global and regional trade and to join hands to builda balanced multilateral trade system serving development and operating on thebasis of law, ensuring all countries and people benefit from economic growth.
He went on to affirm that as thehost of APEC Year 2017, Vietnam is working with APEC member economies tostrengthen sustainable, creative and inclusive growth.
Noting the similarities inpriorities of the G20 and APEC agendas in 2017, he emphasised that Vietnamhopes to foster coordination and connectivity between the two forums, thuscontributing to strengthening global partnerships.
During the discussion,participants agreed that sustainable growth and poverty eradication are mosteffective measures to build and preserve peace and stability, while highly valuinginternational affiliation and calling for responsible actions and theresponsible use of resources for sustainable growth.
Themed “Shaping the global order– foreign policy beyond crisis management,” the G20 Foreign Ministers’ Meetingfocused on implementing the 2030 Agenda, maintaining peace in the new context andforging cooperation and support for Africa.
This is the first time that anon-G20 member has been invited to the two-day meeting, which shows theposition of Vietnam and highlights its responsible contributions to the regionand world.
The G20 groups the world’s 19 largesteconomies (based on GDP) and the EU. Founded in 1999, the group now accountsfor 85 percent of the world economy. Its members include the US, Germany,Japan, France, the UK, Italy and Canada, a number of EU members, and Argentina,Australia, Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Russia, Arabia Saudi, SouthAfrica, the Republic of Korea and Turkey.
On the sidelines of the meeting, Minhhad a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Alfonso Dastis, during which he voicedVietnam’s desire to bolster the strategic partnership between Vietnam andSpain. Dastis said that Vietnam is an important pillar in Spain’s relations inSoutheast Asia.
The two sides agreed to worktogether to build an action plan to boost bilateral cooperation, especially ineconomics, renewable energy, infrastructure construction, tourism and hightechnology agriculture.
Minh asked for Spain’s support inhastening the EU’s approval of the EU-Vietnam free trade agreement and the EU’srecognition of Vietnam’s market economy status.
The two sides also enhancingcollaboration at international and regional multilateral forums.
Earlier, FM Minh also met withGerman Foreign Minister Sigma Gabriel to discuss beefing up the Vietnam-Germanystrategic partnership.-VNA
VNA
