The Friends of Vietnam Network (FVN) has effectively contributed to strengthening cooperation between Vietnam and the UK in all fields, FVN President Ben Chapman has said.

FVN is a “common house” that helps promote bilateral relations when both countries are celebrating their 40 th anniversary of diplomatic ties, Chapman told the Vietnam News Agency.

Since its establishment, FVN has attracted many members of friendship associations, including the Vietnam-UK Friendship Association, which actively helps Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam, he said.

FVN is committed to promoting the strategic partnership between the two countries in education, culture, trade and politics, he said. The organisation will launch many cultural and trade events in the framework of its 2013 action plan, he added.

Chapman is known for overseeing an agreement to strengthen relations between the two legislative bodies during his tenure as President of the UK-Vietnam Parliamentarians Group in 2009. He has visited Vietnam four times. -VNA