President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation, Vu Xuan Hong, at the authorization of the State President, presented the Friendship Order to the former President of Italy – Vietnam Friendship Association in Veneto, Renato Darsie at a ceremony in Hanoi on January 24.

Addressing the event, Renato Darsie, who is member of the Venezia and Veneto regional committee of the Party of Italian Communists, said he was honoured to receive the noble award. He emphasises the need to strengthen further the friendship between the two countries, especially between the young people.

Renato Darsie has actively worked for the friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam . During the time of the war in Vietnam, he joined anti-war movements and fund-raising campaigns to help Vietnamese people.

He also served as a representative of the Vietnamese embassy in Veneto, Italy, from 1995-2000.

He and his wife are guests of the Vietnamese State to attend the ceremony to mark the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam.-VNA