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 NationalDay (September 2, 1945 – 2019).
Thecelebration in Germany was attended by Minister of State at the Federal Foreign Office Niels Annen, FederalMinister of Justice and Consumer Protection Christian Lange, and morethan 400 guests who are members of parliament, diplomats andgovernmental officials from the host country.
In his remarksat the event, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu recalled Vietnam’s glorious history, the victory of the August Revolution in1945 and the Proclamation of Independence by President Ho Chi Minh on September 2, 1945.
Vu briefed hisguests on Vietnam’s political and socio-economic achievements and internationalintegration over the last three decades, saying Vietnam’s election to the UN Security Council with thehighest number of votes in June demonstrated the trust placed by the international community inthe country. It would motivate Vietnam to contribute more to global peace andstability, he said.
RegardingVietnam – Germany relations, the diplomat said Germany has remained one ofVietnam’s most important partners in the EU while Vietnam is among Germany’s three largesteconomic partners in the ASEAN.
He expectedthe EU and Vietnam’s recent signing of their free trade agreement (EVFTA) andInvestment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) would open bright prospects for the economic cooperation between thetwo countries.
Vietnam standsready to up partnership at multilateral forums and address regional and globalissues with Germany, headded.
Minister ofState Niels Annen, for his part, said Germany wants to foster cooperation with Vietnam and the recently-inkedEVFTA is not only a milestonein a joint effort to strengthen an open, multilateral and rules-based international trade, but will also create new opportunities for cooperationbetween enterprises from the two sides.
The globalorder is being challenged, not only in Europe but also Southeast Asia. In suchcontext, nations which sharea common view should work together to maintain peace, stability and order based on the rule of law, includingfreedom 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 NguyenThien Nhan and Singaporean Minister of Manpower Josephine Teo.
Ambassador TaoThi Thanh Huong detailed Vietnam’s socio-economicdevelopment last year, witheconomic growth hitting 7.08 percent, the highest since 2010.
The Vietnam–Singaporerelations are growing strong in all areas, including politics, economics,culture, social affairs and people-to-people exchange, she said, noting thatSingapore is currently Vietnam’s third biggest foreign investor.
Nhan, for hispart, hailed Singapore for its achievements in urban development, education and innovation, andbeing HCM City’s largest foreigninvestor and second biggest trade partner.
He expectedthe two countries would come up with more initiatives to enhance theirfriendship, contributing to regional prosperity.
On behalf ofthe host government, MinisterTeo said Singapore and Vietnam remain close friends in ASEAN and their economicpartnership is critical against a backdrop of the globaleconomic slowdown and rising protectionism.
She highlyspoke of Vietnam’s potential, saying she is pleased to see more Singaporeancompanies doing business in Vietnam and hopes cooperation projects would bearfruit for both sides.
In SouthAfrica, Deputy Director-General at the Department of International Relationsand Cooperation Anil Sooklal took the occasion to congratulate Vietnam on the74th National Day and thank the country for supporting South Africa in fightingracism in the past and building a democratic country today.
He saidhe hoped Vietnam would continue assisting South Africa intraining maritime personnel and sharing experience in fisheries and othersea-based industries.
He alsowelcomed the coming visit of a high-ranking delegation, led by DeputyPrime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue, to South Africa scheduled for the end of this year. –VNA
VNA
