Thayer Consultancy Background Briefing:

ABN # 65 648 097 123

Vietnam: Prime Minister Visits
Germany Attends G20
Carlyle A. Thayer
July 8, 2017

[client name deleted]

We would like to have your assessment of Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's visit to
Germany and attendance at the G20 Summit.
Q1. What does Vietnam expect to achieve from the PM Phuc's trip?
There are two aspects of Prime Minister Phucs visit to Germany, first to attend the
G20 Summit, and second to meet separately with German leaders at state level to
advance the 2011 strategic partnership across a number of areas of cooperation.
Notably, Prime Minister Phuc was accompanied by the ministers of trade and industry,
public health and natural resources and environment.
Regarding the G20 Summit, Prime Minister Phuc will be able to put Vietnams views
on major world issues such as trade liberalization, globalization, climate change and
international terrorism in G20 draft policy statements.
Q2. PM Phuc aims to raise the prestige and status of Vietnam. Will he be able to do so
ANSWER: Prime Minister Phucs speech to the G20 will place Vietnam on the side of
the majority of world leaders demonstrating that Vietnam is a reliable partner. In
addition, just attending the G20 and holding sideline meetings will enhance Vietnams
prestige.
With respect to his separate visit to German states, Prime Minister Phuc has already
held working sessions with Rheinland-Pfalz and Hessen state officials and German
business leaders in Berlin. The key issues that were discussed concerned German
investment in Vietnam, trade, education and training, smart power and renewable
energy, information technology and hi-tech agriculture, health care and
pharmaceuticals and tourism.
Q3. Vietnams PM will participate in G20 Summit debates and give his opinion on a
number of matters. Will PM Phuc have a voice on Asia's current issues?
ANSWER: Nuclear and ballistic missile proliferation on the Korean peninsula will be a
hot topic at the G20 Summit. There will be stark differences in approach between the
United States and Russia-China as well as others attending. Prime Minister Phuc will
take sides with the dominant view of supporting resolutions of the United Nations
Security Council and, in addition, that military force should not be used and that the
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parties directly concerned North Korea, South Korea and the United States should
refrain from provocative actions and settle the matter through diplomatic discussions.

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