Hanoi's Vietnam-Germany Friendship Organization will strengthen and expand its activities in 2024 to contribute to stronger ties between the two nations, a meeting heard on December 18.

Nguyen Thanh Loi, editor-in-chief of the Kinh te & Do thi (Economics & Urban) newspaper (left), was elected as a new member of the organization's standing committee. Photos: HaNoiMoi newspaper

Among the major tasks set for 2024 are a people-to-people exchange event to celebrate the 49th anniversary of Vietnam-Germany diplomatic relations (September 23, 1975 - September 23, 2024), a visit to Germany to strengthen ties with several German cities, and revising and upgrading the organization's website, in addition to an annual congress of the organization.

Marko Walde, Chief Representative of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam (AHK Vietnam), said at the meeting that friendship organizations are among the keys to fostering bilateral relations between the two countries.

He hailed the work of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Organization in Hanoi in 2023 to strengthen ties between the two nations and their people.

Nguyen Nam Hai, Vice President of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, said the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Organization in Hanoi has made remarkable efforts to promote bilateral relations.

"The organization's visit to Germany in 2024 will be a good opportunity to enhance ties between Vietnam and Germany and between Hanoi and German cities," Hai said.

Vice President of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Organization in Hanoi Can Van Minh said they hosted several exchange activities in 2023.

These activities are highly appreciated by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations of Hanoi as they are helpful in nurturing the relationship between Vietnamese and German people, he said.

Notably, he said the organization established two new communities, including the Germany House (with 31 members) and the Vietnam-Germany Intelligence Community (with 15 members).

The creation of the two new communities brings the total to 11 with 306 members, he said.

In 2023, the organization has worked with its partners to hold business and economic promotion conferences in Hanoi and Berlin and other major events in Germany, he said.

"The Vietnam-Germany Friendship Organization in Hanoi has helped Vietnamese professionals settle and work in Germany under long-term contracts," Minh added.

Other activities include helping Vietnamese youths access vocational training courses in Germany and helping Vietnamese businesses penetrate the German market," the vice president said.

At the meeting, the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Organization in Hanoi introduced and elected additional members to its Standing Committee for 2022-2027.

New members of the committee include Nguyen Thanh Loi, Editor-in-Chief of Kinh te & Do thi (Economics & Urban) Newspaper, Le Huu The, former Prosecutor General of the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam and Head of the German House, and Nguyen Thi Thu Hien, Head of the Friendship and Cooperation Desk under the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations.

Members of the Vietnam-Germany Friendship Organization receive certificates of merit for their contribution to enhancing the bilateral ties between the two countries.