(VNF) - The fourth congress of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association of the southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province in the 2017-2022 tenure was held on January 25^th in the coastal city of Vung Tau where more than 1,000 Russian citizens are living and working.

At the association’s fourth congress, a new executive board in the 2017-2022 tenure was elected with Doan Huu Mai, Vice Chairman of the provincial Confederation of Labour, as Chairman.

The Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association of the southern Ba Ria-Vung Tau province holds its fourth congress for the 2017-2022 term, where 17 members of the executive board are elected. (Photo: baria-vungtau.gov.vn)

According to reports at the Congress, the association has carried out many peaceful activities under the leadership and guidance of the authorities and associations in the province, gained many practical results, contributing significantly to the people's external affairs of the province.

In the term of 2012 - 2017, the association has contributed to the province’s people-to-people diplomatic activities. The province has signed a cooperation agreement with Nenetskiy Autonomous Region in 2013; welcoming Russian delegates (students, artists, former officials) to visit and exchange friendship; organising activities to mark the two countries’ historical events and traditional days of the two countries. It worked with provincial authorities to welcome delegations from Russia’s State Duma and Nenets Autonomous Okrug, participated in holding the Nenets Autonomous Okrug Cultural Day in Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Regarding investment cooperation, Ba Ria - Vung Tau and the Russia are focusing on petroleum, tourism, marine and construction services. The Vietsovpetro joint venture in Ba Ria-Vung Tau is a vivid manifestation of the close relationship between the two countries.

The Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association in the province will continue serving as a bridge for cooperation between Russia’s localities and socio-economic organisations and the province.

Russian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Popov Alexey Vladimirovich lauded the contributions made by the association to fostering Russia-Vietnam ties.

Activities to disseminate information about Russia, cultural activities and seminars held by the association have helped consolidate the two countries’ friendship and intensify mutual understanding between the two peoples, he added.

Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Dang Minh Thong suggested that with the motto of "active, flexible, creative and effective", the Association will effectively implement various friendship and cooperation activities of the people; developing the friendly relations between Vietnam and Russia in general and the friendship and cohesion between the local people and some Russian provinces in particular.

Vice Chairman of the Ba Ria-Vung Tau provincial People's Committee Dang Minh Thong (C) presents certificates of merit of the committee to the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association and its new Chairman Doan Huu Mai. (Photo: baria-vungtau.gov.vn)

On the occasion, the central Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association and Provincial People's Committee awarded certificates of merit for units and inpiduals for their active contributions in the work of the people's external relations in the term 2012 – 2017./.

Translated by Chau Pham