The Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association on December 3 held the 4 th National Congress in Hanoi to review its operations over the past and work out action plans for the 2013-2018 tenure.

Speaking at the event, Secretary General of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Nguyen Thi Hoang Van hailed the association for its contributions over the past five years to enhance the friendship and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

She suggested the association make further efforts and promote its creativity to organise various practical activities to boost people-to-people cooperation in economics, trade, science-technology-environment, education-training, culture and tourism.

Thai Ambassador to Vietnam Anuson Chinvanno highlighted the congress as a significant event, especially after the two countries’ leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic partnership, which opens up new prospects for bilateral cooperative ties for the sake of the two peoples and regional peace, stability and development.

During the congress, delegates elected an executive board of 29 members. Former Minister of Fisheries Ta Quang Ngoc was re-elected as President of the association.-VNA