Embassy works to forge Vietnam-Germany ties

In his speech at a press conference in Hanoi on September 28 on the occasion of the 26th Unification Day of Germany, German Ambassador to Vietnam Christian Berger stressed his country and Vietnam have cooperated in many fields, especially in politics, economy, culture, culture, science and education.

The sound relationship was also reflected through high-level visits of the two countries’ leaders, he said.

While updating recent economic links between the two nations, Deputy Ambassador Wolfang Manig said with two-way trade hitting nearly US$9 billion in 2015, Germany is Vietnam’s largest trade partner in the European Union (EU).

He said he hopes that the free trade agreement (FTA) signed between Vietnam and the EU in February will facilitate bilateral trade links.

He expressed his wish that a bilateral commerce chamber will be set up in Vietnam with an aim of deepening the Vietnam-Germany strategic partnership.

Regarding development cooperation in Vietnam, the embassy’s cousellor in charge of development cooperation, Martin Hoppe, affirmed that the field is a key part of the relationship between the two nations.

Last year, Germany pledged preferential loans worth 220 million EUR within two years for development cooperation projects in Vietnam, mainly in vocational training, environmental protection, energy and green growth.

Thomas Lenferding, the cousellor in charge of culture and education cooperation with Vietnam, said the Goethe Institute has worked hard to promote cultural cooperation between the two countries, while Germany’s educational institutions are active in introducing the German language in Vietnam’s schools.

Friendship exchanges, film festivals, concerts and art performances have contributed to tightening the two nations’ ties and fostering mutual understanding between their people.