The new executive board's members. Photo: Tao Dat

In 2022, Vietnam and Austria celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the establishment of the Vietnam - Austria Friendship Association is of great significance, which practically contributes to promoting the Vietnam-Austria friendship cooperation into depth, becoming more cohesive and durable.

The President of the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Nguyen Phuong Nga made that statement at the association's founding congress.

According to Decision No. 877QD-BNV on allowing the establishment of the friendship association, the association's activities is to gather and unite members, and organize effective people-to-people diplomatic activities between Vietnam and Austria in order to contribute to the growth of the association, strengthen the friendship, understanding and cooperation between the people of Vietnam and the people of Austria.

The association will be a bridge to promote cooperation activities in the fields of politics, economy - trade, education, culture, information and communication, tourism, sports and other fields of cooperation between Vietnam and Austria, serving the interests of the people of each country, for peace, cooperation and development in the region and in the world.

The delegates elected the association's Executive Board consisting of 35 members. Tran Tuan Anh, vice president of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, has been elected to hold the position of president of the association for the first term (2022-2027).

VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga delivers her speech at the event. Photo: Tao Dat

Speaking at the Congress, VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga acknowledged and highly appreciated the efforts and contributions of the Campaign Committee to establish the Vietnam - Austria Friendship Association. In the past time, along with the leadership of the former Ambassador of Vietnam to Austria, Head of the Campaign Committee Nguyen Thi Hoi, the members have actively implemented effectively the campaign to establish the association.

President Nguyen Phuong Nga suggested some contents in the work of the association in the coming time.

Firstly, the association proactively and soon consolidated its organization, proposed initiatives, developed programs and plans of activities for the whole term with specific projects, and organized closely linked people-to-people external activities, cooperation in science, technology, culture, education and training as well as mutual economic development, in order to expand and develop both the depth and breadth of the network of friends and partners to contribute to practically strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Austria.

Tran Tuan Anh, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, will serve as the Association's president. Photo: Tao Dat

Second, actively coordinate with ministries, sectors, organizations and partners to connect, cooperate, and mobilize social resources for people-to-people diplomacy, with diverse and attractive forms of activities; and exploit the strengths of the two countries, especially in terms of culture, to widely promote and popularize each country and its people, in order to attract and gather more businesses, scholars, media, alumni, students, Vietnamese living, working and studying in each country, participating in association's activities; strengthen cooperation with the Austria-Vietnam Friendship Association in Austria.

Finally, focus on external communication and information, develop websites and social networks in appropriate languages, to inform more widely to the people of Austria about Vietnam, foreign policy, achievements in protecting and promoting human rights, sovereignty issues of borders, territories, sea and islands.

VUFO President Nga expressed her belief that, under the direction of President Tran Tuan Anh and the new leadership, with the core value "connection - creation - development", the Vietnam - Austria Friendship Association will make a practical contribution to promoting the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two peoples. VUFO will do its best to continue accompanying and supporting the association in the coming time.

Austrian Ambassador Hans-Peter Glanzer congratulates the association's leadership. Photo: Tao Dat

Speaking at the congress, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria to Vietnam Hans Peter Glanzer expressed his belief that the Vietnam - Austria Friendship Association would be an important element in the multifaceted relations of the two countries.

“I am very grateful to the individuals who initiated and made efforts to establish the association. I believe that the association will contribute to further strengthening the bilateral relations between the two countries, especially through face-to-face exchanges. In this regard, I look forward to working closely with the association,” said Ambassador Glanzer.

Vietnam and Austria are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this year (December 1, 1972 – 2022).

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