Author Rodion Ebbighause wrotethat t he two nations are celebrating the 40th anniversary of theirdiplomatic ties with a series of events, including exhibitions andconcerts, to be held.
The story cited Rabea Brauerof the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Hanoi as saying that the twocountries have a lot in common: Both were divided and were on the frontlines during the Cold War. The shared experience of division andreunification still serves as a bridge between Germany and Vietnam.
Gerhard Will, a Vietnam expert at the German Institute ofInternational and Security Affairs in Berlin, said Berlin became Hanoi'smain trading partner in the EU and Vietnam is a 'priority country' ofGerman development cooperation.
The expert alsobelieves that "it is in Germany's interest to have a partner in theregion with whom Berlin could work together economically andpolitically."
The story noted the signing of theHanoi Declaration in 2011 to establish the countries’ strategicpartnership by their leaders who expressed the desire to continueeconomic partnership and cooperate in the areas of development policy,environment, education and science.
It said theGerman-Vietnamese University in Ho Chi Minh City, founded in 2008, isconsidered a model project in terms of bilateral cooperation.
Also on March 27, the DW website posted an interview granted by GermanAmbassador to Vietnam Jutta Frasch, who described the Southeast Asiancountry as an important partner of Germany.
She saidbilateral ties have been strengthened over the last five years acrosseconomics, politics, and culture. About 300 German companies are runningbusiness in Vietnam with a total investment of 170 million EUR, whichdemonstrates the rapid development in their economic cooperation.-VNA