PM Phan Van Khai visits Germany

Ha Noi, Oct. 10 (VNA) -- Prime Minister Phan Van Khai was given an official welcome ceremony in Berlin, Germany, today, Oct. 10, the first of a five-day official visit to the country as a guest of German Federal Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder.

After the welcome ceremony, PM Khai and his German counterpart held talks and had a press briefing. The two leaders briefed the press on their talks dealing with bilateral cooperation and agreements.

At the briefing, PM Khai stressed that his visit was of important significance, opening a new stage in the development of bilateral relations in the spirit of mutual understanding and mutual benefits. He said he believed that the Viet Nam-Germany relationship would further develop, bringing more prosperity to both countries.

Earlier in the day, PM Khai visited the famous Sanscoussi Palace in Potsdam city where he was greeted by Brandenburg state governor Manfred Stolpe.

In the afternoon, the PM and accompanying Vietnamese business people attended a debate held by Germany's Asia-Pacific Committee.

He then joined Germany's Minister of Economics and Technology Werner Mueller in chairing a talk on economics. Participants from German economic associations and firms expressed their belief that the agreements reached by Viet Nam and Germany would create more opportunities for the development of economic, commercial, and investment cooperation between the two countries.--VNA