Overview of the meeting (photo: Quang Viet)

Addressing the opening ceremony, President Mao said: “In 2017, following the policy of the Party and the State, under the close guidance of the National Steering Committee for Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Year 2017 and leaders of various levels, the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association coordinated with its affiliated branches countrywide to launch a wide range of practical and meaningful programme marking the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Year 2017. Many activities were held throughout the year, with the most significant series taking place in June."

President of the Vietnam - Cambodia Friendship Association, Vu Mao, addresses the meeting. (photo: Quang Viet)​

Permanent Vice President of the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association, Vu Vuong Viet, for his part, summarized the activities held by the Association in 2017 and announced the tasks for 2018.

Accordingly, in July 2017, the Liaison Committee for former Vietnamese specialists aiding Cambodia in the struggle against the Pol Pot regime organized a visit to Cambodia for 130 delegates including former volunteer soldiers, specialists and family members of beneficiary families (July 29 - August 2). The delegation was led by Poliburo Member, former Chairman of the National Assembly Commitee for External Affairs, President of the Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association, Vu Mao.

Furthermore, in December, a Cambodian delegation consisting of 50 delegates, including veterans, officers who supported and protected Vietnamese volunteer soldiers, led by Deputy Prime Minister, President of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association, Men Sam An, participated in the fourth Vietnam – Cambodia People’s Friendship Meeting held in HCM.City and the two neighboring provinces of Binh Duong and Ba Ria - Vung Tau (Dec 7-10).

The event, consisting of fascinating cultural exchanges; a meeting to share experiences between the two countries' friendship organizations and review the two years of implementation of the cooperation agreement between the two countries' friendship associations; among others.

The programme is a significant event which affirms the fine neighbourliness, traditional friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

After highlighting the significant activities of the Association in 2017, Viet gave general assessment on the performance of the Association in the year.

“Activities held by the Association last year captured the attention and participation of various classes, created a widespread positive effect in the public. These activities played a significant role in educating people, especially the young generation, on the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperations between two countries. At the same time, the Association effectively organized various exchange programmes, cooperation activities in education and culture, contributing to the robust growth of solidarity and friendship," he said.

Based on the aforementioned assessment, the Association have come up with the action plan for the year 2018, which focuses on the preparing for the 40th celebration of the Vietnam’s victory over the Pol Pot genocide regime.

Specificially, the Association will continue to reinforce awareness raising programme on the traditional solidarity and special friendship. Meaningful projects such as “Nurturing The Seeds of Friendship", which encourages and facilitates Vietnamese families' taking care of Cambodian students, will be carried on across the nation.

At the same time, the association coordinated with Cambodia's various organizations to hold charitable activities, supporting the Cambodian Senate Election in February 2018, and National Asssembly election in July 2018.

Besides conducting external affairs activities, in 2018, the Association will commit to supporting its member associations in the southern provinces of Tay Ninh, Tien Giang, Ben Tre and Bac Lieu.

Ambassador Park Nguon Hong presents certificate of appreciation and medallions to members with outstanding contribution (photo: Quang Viet)

In details, the Association will provide short-term training for local specializing officers on people-to-people diplomacy in general, and the operation of the associations in particular; enhance the activities of entrepreneur Club and the Khmer language center; preparing for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of victory over the Pol Pot (1979-2019, Jan 7).

On the occasion, Ambassador Park Nguon Hong, on behalf of the Royal government of Cambodia and His Majesty King Sihamoni, presented certificates of appreciation and medallions to inpiduals and groups with outstanding contribution to the work of the Association and the Vietnam – Cambodia friendship./.

( Translated by Phi Yen )