Present at the event were Mr. Vu Xuan Hong, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), Mr. Win Hlaing, Myanmar Ambassador to Vietnam and other officials and diplomates.
The meeting has approved the charter, a plan of action for the 2014 – 2019 period and also elected an Executive Board including 35 members, led by Mr. Chu Cong Phung, former Vietnam Ambassador to Myanmar, as President.
Addressing the meeting, Mr. Phung said the Association’s task was to consolidate and develop its organization, to strengthen friendship and exchanges between the peoples, to promote economic, trade, investment cooperation as well as to serve as a bridge for businesses of the two countries.
Mr. Vu Xuan Hong congratulated the establishment of the association – VUFO’s 108th member. He said, the Communist Party and the state of Vietnam always attach importance to strengthening relations with Southeast Asian countries, including Myanmar. Therefore, the foundation of the Vietnam – Myanmar Friendship Association is a new development in the friendly, cooperative relations and people-to-people exchange.
Hong hoped that the Vietnam – Myanmar Friendship Association, together with Vietnam’s bilateral friendship associations with ASEAN countries, will boost their cooperation and coordinate in organizing practical and effective activities to contribute to enhancing mutual understanding between the Vietnamese people and Myanmar in particular and with ASEAN countries in general.
Ambassador Win Hlaing said this event was of special significance since the two countries established diplomatic relations. He assured the Embassy of Myanmar will offer its strong support and close cooperation with the Association in conducting activities of people exchanges and boosting bilateral economic and trade cooperation.
Sharing many commonalities in culture and history, Vietnam and Myanmar have huge potential to strengthen their traditional bonds. The ties will thrive and grow even stronger in the future, the Ambassador said.
Tran Duc Minh
