(VNF) - On July 29^th, in Hanoi, Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Association of Hanoi organized the fifth Congress, for the 2017 – 2022 tenure with Mr. Nguyen Viet Thao re-elected as Chairman.

The Congress was attended by Mr. Can Viet Anh, Standing Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organisations (HAUFO); Mr. Tran Doan Tien, Editor-in-Chief of Communist Party of Vietnam Online Newspaper and Mr. Herminio Lopez Diaz, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam as well as members of the Standing Committee and the Executive Committee of the Association and representatives of Cuban Embassy.

The new Executive Committee elected at the Congress. (Photo: Khanh Lan/CPV)

Addressing the event, Chairman Nguyen Viet Thao, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi Union of Friendship Organizations, emphasized that the friendship between two countries fostered by President Ho Chi Minh, Cuban Hero Jose Marti and President Fidel Castro, has been consolidated over the past years.

The special friendship has become a legendary and a cultural value of the people of the two countries, he added.

At the congress, delegates were briefed on the operations of the Association in the fourth tenure from 2012 – 2017 and the plan for the fifth tenure from 2017 – 2022.

Established in 1996, the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association has consistently developed and achieved remarkable results. Especially, in the period of 2012-2017, the association effectively implemented its assigned missions, contributing to the general achievements in the people's diplomacy policy of the city.

At the event, members of Executive Board of the Association summarized results, weaknesses and proposed many ideas to impulse activities of the Assocition in next time.

In the next term, the Association continues to promote the training for members, find new members, well manage its membership, persify activities, and improve content, forms of activities for age.

The delegates also agreed to improve information dissemination on the achievements in the renewal process and international integration of Vietnam in general and Hanoi city in particular. In addition, the congress has planned to organize various activities to celebrate special days of the two countries as well as others activities such as exchange programs and seminars to enhance the mutual understanding and cooperation between Vietnam and its partner.

Speaking at the congress, Mr. Can Viet Anh, HAUFO Standing Vice Chairman, highly appreciated the efforts of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association of Hanoi during the last term. He said that the activities of the Association have contributed significantly to the enhancement of understanding between the two peoples, promoting the friendly exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam, Mr. Herminio Lopez Diaz expressed his pleasure to attend the event and hoped that Cuba would continue to receive the support of the Party, State and people of Vietnam in the country's cause of renewal in the coming time.

The Ambassador also expressed his confidence that the congress will be a milestone in the development of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association of Hanoi and will contribute positively to strengthening friendly relations between the two peoples.

HAUFO Standing Vice Chairman Can Viet Anh presents certificates of merit for the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association and inpiduals. (Photo: Khanh Lan/CPV)

At the congress, an Executive Committee of 25 members was elected for the fifth tenure with Mr. Nguyen Viet Thao was re-elected as Chairman.

On the occasion, on behalf of HAUFO, Mr. Can Viet Anh awarded certificates of merit for the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association and inpiduals for their active contributions in the work of the people's external relations in the term 2012 - 2017./.

Translated by Chau Pham