The ambassador-level diplomatic ties between Việt Nam and Ireland were established on April 5, 1996. Especially, Việt Nam is the only Asian receiver of ODA from Ireland.

The visit by PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng is aimed at strengthening political relations, mutual understanding and trust; bringing about breakthroughs in economic, trade, investment and educational cooperation between the two countries; and discussing ways to assist the 3,000-strong Vietnamese community in Ireland.

Earlier, on March 8, in Frankfurt, PM Dũng received leaders of many German leading economic groups, including BASF (chemical), Fraport (airport construction and management), Bosch (automobile engines), Deutsche Telekom (telecommunication), Sanofi – Aventis (medicine) who are seeking for investment opportunities in Việt Nam.

Dr. Hambrecht, Chairman of the Board of Executive Directors of BASF and Chairman of the Asia-Pacific Committee of German Business (APA), Dr. Bender, Chairman of the Executive Board of Fraport, Mr. Meier, General Director of Sanofi Aventis and leaders of Bosh and Deutsche Telekom all highly praised the Vietnamese PM’s confirmation to create an open and transparent environment for foreign investors as well as to fulfill WTO commitments. They expressed their desire to promote investments in Việt Nam.

PM Dũng asked German businesses to set up the Training Fund for the Việt Nam–Germany University in Hồ Chí Minh City; help train Vietnamese engineers; further work with Vietnamese partners in chemistry, medicine, aviation, and telecommunication.

In the March 8 afternoon, PM Nguyễn Tấn Dũng and the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese Government paid visits to Deutsche Bank, European Central Bank (ECB), and the Vietnamese community in Frankfurt./.

By Xuân Hồng