Federation of overseas Vietnamese associations in Germany established

Chairman of the federation Nguyen Van Hien (third from right) and deputy chairpersons at the event (Photo: VNA)

The event was attended by over 300 delegates representing over 80 organizations and associations of overseas Vietnamese and intellectuals from the 16 states of Germany, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

At the congress, participants elected an executive board including 40 members and General Director of the Berlin-based Dong Xuan trade centre Nguyen Van Hien was elected as the Chairman.

Speaking at the congress, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh said that the congress on the federation establishment as a long-awaited event as the community of more than 200,000 Vietnamese in the European country had an urgent need for a “common home” officially representing their rights and interests.

He highly appreciated the congress’s adoption of the federation’s statutes and the election of an executive board gathering representatives from all strata and across Germany. He expressed his belief that the representatives will contribute to the development of a strong Vietnamese community in Germany.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, Chairman Hien said that with nearly 200,000 people and about 10,000 businesses operating in various sectors, Vietnamese form a large and strong Asian community in Germany and has received high evaluation during their integration into the local society.

He noted organizations and associations of Vietnamese people have basically met the demand of the community in their localities or specialized fields, but there was still a shortage of a “common home”. The federation will represent the community’s common voice at the federal level to coordinate and support activities of those organizations and associations.

Mr. Hien affirmed that the federation will serve, protect, and represent the rights and legitimate interests of Vietnamese people. It will help build an increasingly strong and united community with continued development, successful integration, and a growing stature in both Germany and Vietnam. It will also actively contribute to the traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries, he added./.