(VNF) - The Vietnam-Czech Friendship Association held a ceremony in Hanoi on October 21^st to mark the 98^th National Day of the Republic of Czech (October 28^th, 1918-2016).

Attending the ceremony was Mr. Martin Klepetko, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Czech Republic in Vietnam; Mr. Igor Pacolák, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Slovakia in Vietnam; Mr. Nguyen Minh Hong, President of the Vietnam-Czech Friendship Association; members of Embassy and those who studied and worked in Czech.

At the reception, Mr. Nguyen Minh Hong – President of the Vietnam-Czech Friendship Association expressed that Vietnam and Czech have built the close long-lasting relation. Through the past decades with lots ups and downs, it continues to develop. Besides, Vietnam always highly appreciates the great support of the Czech Republic on international forums.

President Nguyen Minh Hong (L) congratulates the National Day of the Republic of Czech at the opening ceremony. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

This friendship exchange is a part of the annual activities of the Vietnam-Czech Friendship Association to celebrate the Czech Republic’s National Day. President Hong said that in the past years, the Association has cooperated closely with local agencies to organize a lot of activities such as cultural exchanges, charitable programs to connect groups, enterprises, and people between two countries.

Czech Ambassador to Vietnam Martin Klepetko thanked the Association for organizing this event. He also took the occasion to express his satisfaction to witness strong and effective development in the cooperation between the Czech Republic and Vietnam.

Czech Ambassador to Vietnam Martin Klepetko (L) expresses his sadness at leaving Vietnam at the end of his term. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

“The relationship, wholeheartedly supported by the Vietnamese and Czech people, will develop on a par with the two countries’ potential and expectation,” the Czech diplomat said.

He also expressed his belief that the cooperation between the two countries in all fields would go more deeply and have specific activities for the benefits of both peoples.

Ambassador Klepetko, who was about to concluded his term in Vietnam at the end of 2016, expressed his happiness to be worked in Vietnam and his sadness at leaving Vietnam after four years.

Also attended the event, Ambassador of Slovakia in Vietnam Igor Pacolák said that Slovakia’s people are proud at a rare and long-lasting friendship between Vietnam and Slovakia.

Ambassador of Slovakia Igor Pacolák (R) presents the picture of the late Prime Minister Pham Van Dong’s visit to Czech Republic to Ambassador Klepetko. (Photo: Thuy Linh/VNF)

“On this occasion, I am pleased to present the picture of the late Prime Minister Pham Van Dong’s visit to Czech Republic to Ambassador Klepetko, marked the start of a long-term partnership between our countries.” Ambassador of Slovakia Pacolák said.

During the meeting, the Vietnam-Czech Friendship Association has donated to Central region’s people who are suffering the consequences of recent floods with the assistances of Vietnam-Czech Friendship Association and Vietnam-Slovakia Friendship Association in Ha Tinh province./.

Minh Phuong