Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang has thanked the Germany-Vietnam Friendship Association as well as all German friends for their support over the past years, especially in protesting against China’s illegal act in the East Sea.

Meeting the association’s Chairman Seigfried Sommer on June 24 as part of his ongoing visit to the European country, Minister Hoang, who is President of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association, asked for continued support for the Vietnamese community in the country, helping them better integrate into the host society.

Sommer briefed the Vietnamese guest on major activities of the association over the recent past, especially those to support Vietnam in its struggle to protect national sovereignty over sea and islands.

The two sides also discussed measures to promote their coordination in promoting people-to-people contacts and possible activities to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2015.

Over the past years, the Germany-Vietnam Friendship Association has held various activities showing solidarity and friendship with Vietnam .

Particularly, after China illegally positioned its drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 deep inside Vietnam ’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in early May, the association issued a statement supporting Vietnam ’s stance and condemning China ’s wrongful actions.

Sommer and many members of the association also took part in rallies held by overseas Vietnamese in Berlin to protest China’s illegal moves in the East Sea, while informing German friends of the East Sea tension.-VNA