The long-standing relationship between Hesse and Vietnam is a model for international cooperation, Minister-President of State of Hesse of Germany Boris Rhein has stated.
Rhein made the statement following his visit to Vietnam from November 26 to December 1, giving positive remarks and emphasising the close relationship and cooperation between Hesse and Vietnam.
Vietnam is not only the most important trading partner of Hesse within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but also a key partner in education, research, and technology, he stressed.
He highlighted the two economies' close connection as more than 350 German companies are operating in Vietnam, generating 50,000 jobs, saying that the Hesse side wants to further expand this cooperation.
Rhein noted that in discussions, he supports strengthening joint activities between the two sides, especially in recruiting skilled workers.
A website of the Hesse Minister-President's office quoted Rhein as saying that since 2012, Vietnam and Hesse have maintained a close connection through a strategic partnership, including cooperation in terms of science, education, and economy.
Sharing this perspective, the Foreign Minister of Hesse, who accompanied Rhein on his visit to Vietnam, emphasised that the state has maintained a close relationship with Vietnam for decades, which now produces benefits on multiple levels.
Addressing a graduation ceremony of the Vietnamese-German University (VGU) in Ho Chi Minh City as part of his trip to Vietnam, Rhein stated that VGU is the fifth-largest bilingual university in the world with German involvement, and that the university makes an important contribution to the development of science and technology in Vietnam.
Along with this key project, the two sides are further strengthening their already close cooperation, he said, adding that the Hesse state agrees to further strengthen the VGU./.
