The Vietnamese Embassy in Bulgaria and the Vietnamese Association in the country has raised funds in support of Vietnam’s coast guard and fisheries surveillance forces and fishermen who are day and night safeguarding the national sea and island sovereignty.

Speaking at the fund-raising ceremony on June 28, Ambassador Le Duc Luu said the activity reflected the patriotism and responsibility of Vietnamese people living and working in Bulgaria towards their homeland, thus creating a combined strength in the struggle for protecting the country’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.

Luu also briefed participants on latest developments in the East Sea after China illegally placed its Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig in Vietnam ’s continental shelf and exclusive economic zone in early May.

He reiterated the consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party, State, Government and National Assembly of solving disputes at sea by peaceful means in line with international law.

More than 3,860 USD were raised during the ceremony.

On the occasion, participants also donated 2,000 USD to families that were affected by the recent flood and whirlwinds in the cities of Varna , Dobrich and Veliko Tarnovo in Bulgaria ’s southeast region.-VNA