Berlin (VNA) – President Truo♕ng Tan Sang has affirmed the role and position of the German State of Hessen in the thriving bilateral relations between Vietnam and Ger♍many.

The leader made the affirmation at his meeting with Minister-President of the State of Hessen Volker Bouffier on November 26 as part of his two-day State visit to Germany. Vietnam always treasures cooperation with Hessen State, the President said, expressing his delight at the active progresses in cooperative ties between the two sides over the past time, especially in economy, trade-investment, education-training, legal and judicial affiliation, and cultural exchange. He suggested the Hessen authorities continue supporting and encouraging their firms to run business in Vietnam while helping Vietnamese enterprises operate fruitfully in the State, contributing to enhancing the strategic partnership between the two countries. President Truong Tan Sang pledged optimal conditions for businesses from Germany in general and the State of Hessen in particular to operate in Vietnam in an effective, long-term and stable fashion. He also voiced his back for the two countries’ localities to exchange experience in areas that they have strengths. Speaking highly of Hessen State’s assistance for Vietnam through the Vietnam-Germany University project, the President stressed science and education-training are always priorities in national decisions and policies. The leader proposed the German State render more support for Vietnam to implement next phases of the project, especially in the training of lecturers. Echoing President Truong Tan Sang’s views, Volker Bouffier described the project as a symbol of the fruitful multi-faceted relations between the two countries. Apart from education-training, Hessen State is keen to join hands with Vietnam in other fields like cosmetics and mechanics, the Minister-President noted. He called on the two sides to strengthen their collaboration and increase the sharing of experience and delegations at all levels, thus contributing to fostering the Vietnam-Germany strategic partnership. The same day, President Truong Tan Sang held a meeting with Speaker of the Hessen State Parliament Norbert Kartmann. Hailing the State leaders’ role and parliamentarians’ support for German’s and Hessen’s relations with Vietnam, the President conveyed his wish that they will back the legislative ties between Hessen and Vietnam. For his part, Nobert Kartmann highlighted Vietnam’s substantial potential in which German businesses, including those from Hessen State, are interested. After all, he said, a number of Hessen State’s major businesses are running smoothly in the Southeast Asian nation. Expressing his confidence in the fine development of relations between the two countries in the time ahead that match each side’s potential and advantages, the host promised that Hessen State will contribute more constructively to the bilateral ties. During his stay in Germany, President Truong Tan Sang visited a vocational training centre of the OPEL auto manufacturing group, where the leader said he was impressed by its modern scale and effective operation. The Vietnamese Government has charted a vocational training development strategy with the aim of meeting requirements of regional international labour markets in terms of both quality and quantity, he said. The President voiced his hope that the group will assist Vietnam in training engineers and skilled workers, contributing to spurring the development of the country’s auto and spare parts industries in the coming time. Later the same day, President Truong Tan Sang and his encourage left the State of Hessen for Hanoi, successfully wrapping up his State visit to Germany.-VNA