The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Committee for Foreign NGO Affairs on Jan. 21 jointly held a New Year meeting with representatives of diplomatic corps, international and non-governmental organisations in Vietnam.

At the meeting in Hanoi , VUFO President Vu Xuan Hong extended New Year wishes to the guests and highly valued the active and effective assistance of international friends to Vietnam during the past year.

Thanks to foreign NGOs’ support, the Vietnamese people have tried their best to overcome difficulties and record achievements in all aspects, especially economic development and foreign relations, he said.

The friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and other countries have been continuously strengthened and consolidated, he said, adding that foreign non-governmental aid to Vietnam reached 280 million USD in 2010, making great contributions to poverty reduction, health and educational development, helping in addressing social issues, environmental protection, disaster victim assistance, disease prevention and sustainable development in Vietnam .

Hong expressed his belief that Vietnam will continue receiving valuable assistance and cooperation from the international community in 2011.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh also spoke highly of international friends’ support for and cooperation with Vietnam , saying that this is a valuable encouragement for Vietnamese people on their way of building a prosperous and happy society.

On behalf of the diplomatic corps, Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam El Houcine Fardani congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements in 2010, especially the country’s successes during the year it assumed the ASEAN Chair./.