Germany’s Federal Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier (third from right) attends the topping-out ceremony of the German House in HCM City. (Source: VNA)Ho Chi Minh City (VNA) – Germany’s Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited Ho Chi Minh City on November 1 as part of his trip to Vietnam.
The minister attended the topping-out ceremony of the German House in HCM City, a symbol of the Vietnam-Germany strategic partnership.
Speaking at the ceremony, Frank-Walter Steinmeier thanked Vietnam’s relevant agencies and HCM City for their cooperation and facilitation for the German House project to go as schedule.
He said the German House is a symbol affirming Germany’s pledge to maintain long-term cooperation with Vietnam and support for the Southeast Asian country’s reform and door-opening efforts within the framework of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The German House is not only about economic cooperation but it also promotes the cooperation between Vietnam and Germany in such fields as culture, arts, technology and defence, according to the minister.
He described the house as the meeting place for German and Vietnamese enterprises, and an address for European Union and ASEAN businesspeople to meet and seek partners.
Le Van Khoa, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, stressed that the project indicates the willingness and determination of both sides in boosting comprehensive relationship between Vietnam and Germany.
Khoa said the city will create favourable conditions for German enterprises to implement cooperation projects in the city.
The German House has 25 floors and uses energy-efficient technologies. It is scheduled to be put into use in the third quarter of 2017.
The same day, the German Federal Foreign Minister had a meeting with Vice Chairman of HCM City People’s Committee Le Thanh Liem and attended a Germany-Vietnam cultural exchange programme.-VNA
