Published:  00:00 Saturday - February 06, 2010

Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Quoc Cuong declared the start of the 2010 Vietnam Year in Germany and celebrations for the traditional lunar New Year festival in Berlin on February 5.

Mr Cuong noted that 2010 is a special year in bilateral relations as it marks the 35^th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Germany diplomatic ties.

He said their top leaders of the two countries decided to organise the Vietnam Year in Germany and the Germany Year in Vietnam under the auspices of President Nguyen Minh Triet of Vietnam and President Horst Koehler of Germany.

A wide range of activities, including political, economic, cultural and individual exchanges, will be held throughout the year in many localities of both countries.

This is a good chance for Vietnam and Germany to introduce their histories, cultures and people, and to promote mutual understanding, friendship and cooperation, said Mr Cuong.

Bilateral relations have fared well in recent times, the diplomat said, adding that Germany is currently one of Vietnam’s leading European partners in politics-diplomacy, economics, trade, investment, culture, education, science and technology. Two-way trade last year reached US$4.6 billion and is expected to increase to US$5 billion this year.

Both Vietnam and Germany have supported each other and worked closely together to address global challenges in international forums.

Nearly 100,000 Vietnamese nationals are currently studying and working in Germany. They have integrated well and made significant contributions to local communities.

Cornelia Pieper, Minister of State at the German Foreign Office, highlighted major developments in Germany-Vietnam relations and affirmed that Vietnam is a very important political partner of Germany in Southeast Asia.

Developing bilateral relations will take centre stage in 2010 and the Vietnam and Germany Years in each country will lay a firm foundation for bringing our relations to a higher level, she said.

She also acknowledged the Vietnamese community’s contributions to the development of bilateral relations.

Ambassador Do Hoa Binh extended lunar New Year Greetings to Vietnamese nationals in Germany and said he hopes they will continue to be united and contribute more to the homeland.