Association helps promote Vietnam-Czech friendship

Prague (VNA) - The Czech-Vietnam Association (CVA) on December 9 convened its 21st congress in Prague, the Czech Republic, to review 20 years of operation.

In his remarks, CVA President Marcel Winter highlighted the association’s efforts to enhance the friendship between the Vietnamese and Czech people, and help the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic integrate into the host society through various activities.

The CVA has also repeatedly proposed competent agencies of the Czech Republic streamline procedures for granting visas to Vietnamese labourers, he said.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Ho Minh Tuan stressed that the Government and people of Vietnam always highly evaluated good sentiments and effective activities of the CVA, especially those of its President Winter.

Such activities include assisting Vietnamese people affected by natural disasters, and poor patients and children, and promoting cooperation between businesses of the two countries, he said.

The association has also supported Vietnam during its struggle to protect national sovereignty over seas and islands, the diplomat said, stressing Winter’s role in this regard.

Contributions made by the CVA in general and Winter in particular to the bilateral friendship were applauded by then President Truong Tan Sang, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan during their official visits to the Czech Republic, he noted.

The congress elected CVA Vice President Jan Kusy as new President of the association from now until December 2019.

Winter, who has now worked as CVA Honorary President, told a Vietnam News Agency correspondent that he will not give up activities in support of Vietnam.-VNA