President Truong Tan Sang and his entourage arrived in Berlin at 6 pm (Vietnamese time) on November 24, beginning his three-day State visit to Germany at the invitation of German President Joachim Gauck.
The Vietnamese leader was welcomed with a 21-gun salute at Tegel Airport by head of the Presidential Office of Germany David Gill, Deputy Chief of Protocol under Germany’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs Konrad Arz Von Straussenburg, Vietnamese Ambassador Doan Xuan Hung, the Vietnamese Embassy’s staff, and ambassadors and charge d’affairs of ASEAN countries in Germany.
Later the same day, the President met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Germany, briefing them on the current socio-economic situation and policies in the homeland.
The leader highlighted the major achievements the country has recorded after 30 years of renewal, saying the country has posted an annual growth rate of 6% and the economy is being structured towards industrialisation and modernisation.
Hailing the overseas Vietnamese’s contributions to the homeland, President Truong Tan Sang reiterated that the Vietnamese community abroad is an integral part of the nation.
The Vietnamese Party and State pay due attention to caring and protecting the interests of overseas Vietnamese, the leader said, noting his hope that the Vietnamese in Germany will support each other and preserve traditional culture.
Representatives of the Vietnamese community in Germany expressed their hope that the Party and State will assist them to stabilise their lives and integrate into the host society.
The President later met with German friends during which he recalled the day the late President Ho Chi Minh laid the foundation for the solidarity and friendship between the two nations.