The congress elected a new executive committee of 41 members. Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Cong Tac was elected as President of the Association for the 2020-2025 term. Photo: TV
The fifth National Congress of the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association for the 2020-2025 term was held in Hanoi on October 10.
The congress saw the attendance of Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Dung, Hungarian Ambassador to Vietnam Ory Csaba, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Nguyen Phuong Nga, among others.
During the 2014-2020 term, with nearly 1,400 members, activities of the association have closely followed the Party and the State's guidelines on people-to-people diplomacy, the direction of the VUFO in the implementation of the Directive 28-CT / TW of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Vietnam on continuing to renew and improve the efficiency of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, grasping the the motto "Active, flexible, creative and effective" of the Friendship Union.
Especially, in 2020, to share difficulties with Hungarian people during the COVID-19 pandemic, the association’s members raised funds to buy 10,400 facemasks and present them to the Hungarian people via the Hungarian Embassy in Vietnam.
Such activities have helped maintain and strengthen the friendship between two countries.
Vietnam and Hungary set up diplomatic ties on February 3, 1950. Hungary provided Vietnam with valuable support and assistance during the latter’s national defence and construction.
Over the past years, bilateral relations have seen very positive developments, with the exchange of delegations, especially at the high level, taking place regularly through the channels of parties, administrations, national assemblies, and localities. The two sides also have had effective cooperation at multilateral forums, particularly at the United Nations and within the framework of the Asia – Europe Economic Forum.
Hungary has considered Vietnam the most important partner in Southeast Asia. Over the past years, their economic and trade ties have increased sharply, with two-way trade exceeding USD 338 million in the firt five month of 2020.
As of January 2020, Hungary had 19 valid projects in Vietnam with total registered capital of USD 69.94 million, ranking 53rd out of 135 countries and territories investing in the country.
Besides, the two countries have made strides in cooperation on law-making, justice, national defence-security, health care, education-training and partnership between localities.
The congress elected a 41-member executive board for the 2020-2025 term with Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Cong Tac was re-elected as its President.
At the congress, the VUFO presented the insignia "For Peace and Friendship among Nations" and certificates of merit to individuals and collectives of the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association who have had outstanding achievements in people-to-people diplomacy activities during the last term.
Expressing his gratitude to being elected as President of the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association for the fifth tenure, Pham Cong Tac said that this is a great honor and a great responsibility that the Congress has entrusted to hime.
He affirmed that together with the Executive Committee of the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association, he would continue to do his utmost to nurture the friendship between the two peoples, consolidate and strengthen all-sided relations between the two countries.
Sharing her thoughts on association’s working orientations in the next term, VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga said that the association should continue to work closely with the Hungary - Vietnam Friendship Association and traditional friends; at the same time, actively expanding and diversifying the network of partners in Hungary, contributing to promoting people-to-people exchanges in many substantive and effective fields.
In addition, the association also needs to renew its contents and modes of operation, proactively propose initiatives, improve the efficiency of cooperation and people-to-people exchanges to both promote the role of a friendship bridge and exploite the potential strengths of the two countries to enhace cooperation in many fields.
President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Nguyen Phuong Nga speaking at the event. Photo: TV
According to Nga, the bright spot in the relations between Vietnam and Hungary is thousands of officials, experts, technicians...who have studied and lived in Hungary. "They are the messengers and valuable bridges to nurture the friendship between the two countries...Hopefully in the coming time, the association will expand the network and increase youth participation into its activities," Nga said.
She also believed that the association will gain new outstanding achievements in the time to come, thus contributing to strengthening and promoting the Vietnam - Hungary ties./.
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