The Vietnamese Embassy in Germany hosts a reception on August 28 to celebrate the 74th National Day. (Photo: VNA)Berlin (VNA) – Vietnamese embassies in Germany, Singapore and South Africa hosted receptions on August 28 to mark the 74th National Day (September 2, 1945 – 2019).
The celebration in Germany was attended by Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Niels Annen, Federal Minister of Justice and Consumer Protection Christian Lange, and more than 400 guests who are members of parliament, diplomats and governmental officials from the host country.
In his remarks at the event, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu recalled Vietnam’s glorious history, the victory of the August Revolution in 1945 and the Proclamation of Independence by President Ho Chi Minh on September 2, 1945.
Vu briefed his guests on Vietnam’s political and socio-economic achievements and international integration over the last three decades, saying Vietnam’s election to the UN Security Council with the highest number of votes in June demonstrated the trust placed by the international community in the country. It would motivate Vietnam to contribute more to global peace and stability, he said.
Regarding Vietnam – Germany relations, the diplomat said Germany has remained one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the EU while Vietnam is among Germany’s three largest economic partners in the ASEAN.
He expected the EU and Vietnam’s recent signing of their free trade agreement (EVFTA) and Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) would open bright prospects for the economic cooperation between the two countries.
Vietnam stands ready to up partnership at multilateral forums and address regional and global issues with Germany, he added.
Minister of State Niels Annen, for his part, said Germany wants to foster cooperation with Vietnam and the recently-inked EVFTA is not only a milestone in a joint effort to strengthen an open, multilateral and rules-based international trade, but will also create new opportunities for cooperation between enterprises from the two sides.
The global order is being challenged, not only in Europe but also Southeast Asia. In such context, nations which share a common view should work together to maintain peace, stability and order based on the rule of law, including freedom and rights cited in the 1982 UN Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), he said.
In Singapore, the ceremony was attended by Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan and Singaporean Minister of Manpower Josephine Teo.
Ambassador Tao Thi Thanh Huong detailed Vietnam’s socio-economic development last year, with economic growth hitting 7.08 percent, the highest since 2010.
The Vietnam–Singapore relations are growing strong in all areas, including politics, economics, culture, social affairs and people-to-people exchange, she said, noting that Singapore is currently Vietnam’s third biggest foreign investor.
Nhan, for his part, hailed Singapore for its achievements in urban development, education and innovation, and being HCM City’s largest foreign investor and second biggest trade partner.
He expected the two countries would come up with more initiatives to enhance their friendship, contributing to regional prosperity.
On behalf of the host government, Minister Teo said Singapore and Vietnam remain close friends in ASEAN and their economic partnership is critical against a backdrop of the global economic slowdown and rising protectionism.
She highly spoke of Vietnam’s potential, saying she is pleased to see more Singaporean companies doing business in Vietnam and hopes cooperation projects would bear fruit for both sides.
In South Africa, Deputy Director-General at the Department of International Relations and Cooperation Anil Sooklal took the occasion to congratulate Vietnam on the 74th National Day and thank the country for supporting South Africa in fighting racism in the past and building a democratic country today.
He said he hoped Vietnam would continue assisting South Africa in training maritime personnel and sharing experience in fisheries and other sea-based industries.
He also welcomed the coming visit of a high-ranking delegation, led by Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue, to South Africa scheduled for the end of this year. –VNA
VNA
