Vietnam and Germany pop champaign on 45 years of cooperation

The Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association receiving the second-class Labour Order

On October 16, 2020, the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association held a ceremony for its 35th anniversary and 45 years of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Germany.

On behalf of the Party and the State, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung presented the association with a second-class Labour Order in recognition of its distinct services to fostering relations and cooperation between the two countries.

At the ceremony, chairman of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association and Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung told the gathering that in contributing to bilateral relations for peace, cooperation, and development, the association has worked to introduce Vietnam to Germans to increase mutual understanding and friendships.

The association has attracted public attention in Germany for its activities supporting Vietnam’s poverty eradication efforts, socioeconomic growth, fight for AO/dioxin victim’s rights and interests, and protection of national territorial sovereignty.

"The good relationship between Vietnam and Germany has been developing, generating benefits for both sides" Minister Dung said.

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung affirmed that the friendship and strategic partnership plays an important role in Vietnam’s foreign policy, adding that Germany has been a key partner in Europe for many years.

To extensively, effectively, and practically reinforce ties in all fields, from politics and diplomacy, trade and investment, and defense to education and tourism, he recommended the association to follow the Party’s orientations on external relations, boost people-to-people exchanges, and actively cooperate with partners.

These sentiments echoed those expressed by the leaders of the two countries at the recent phone call of German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc to affirm mutual efforts to overcome and resolve regional and global troubles.

Vietnam and Germany are celebrating 45 years of diplomatic relations

Guido Hildner, German Ambassador to Vietnam, said the celebrations are meaningful for both nations. He said the association’s donation of over 80,000 face masks to the German people amid the COVID-19 outbreak was a timely and valuable gift.

The ambassador stressed the importance of education in the many fields of Vietnamese-German cooperation, adding that about 7,500 Vietnamese students are currently studying in Germany. He hoped educational ties would be further enhanced and become a key point of the bilateral friendship.

He highly appreciated the contributions of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Association to bilateral diplomatic ties.