Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung speaks at the event (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnam - Germany Friendship Associationcelebrated its 35th founding anniversary at a ceremony in Hanoi on October 16.
Chairman of the association and Minister of Planning and Investment NguyenChi Dung told the gathering that in contributing to bilateral relations forpeace, cooperation, and development, the association has worked to introduceVietnam to Germans to increase mutual understanding and friendships.
The association has attracted public attention in Germany for its activitiessupporting Vietnam’s poverty eradication efforts, socio-economic growth, fightfor AO/dioxin victim’s rights and interests, and protection of national territorialsovereignty.
Guido Hildner, German Ambassador to Vietnam, said the celebrations are meaningfulfor both nations.
He said the association’s donation of over 80,000 face masks to theGerman people amid COVID-19 is a timely and valuable gift.
The diplomat stressed the importance of education in the many fields of Vietnam - Germanycooperation, adding that about 7,500 Vietnamese students are studying inGermany.
He hoped educational ties would be further enhanced and become a keypoint of the bilateral friendship.
On behalf of the Party and the State, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh DinhDung presented the association with a second-class Labour Order in recognitionof its distinct services to fostering relations and cooperation between the twocountries.
He affirmed that the friendship and strategic partnership plays animportant role in Vietnam’s policy on external relations, adding that Germany hasfor many years been a key partner in Europe.
To extensively, effectively, and practically reinforce ties in allfields, from politics and diplomacy, trade and investment, and defence, toeducation and tourism, he recommended the association follow the Party’s orientationson external relations, boost people-to-people exchanges, and actively cooperatewith partners./.
VNA
