The Vietnam-Czech Friendship Association (VCFA) has set to strengthen its existing relationships and actively seek new partners during its 2013-2018 tenure.

Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation (VUFO) Don Tuan Phong, conveyed his approval of the target during a statement at the VCFA’s third National Congress in Hanoi on June 30. The association gathered to elect a new executive board for the forthcoming tenure.

Phong suggested the VCFA expand its co-operative operations in socio-economics, trade, culture, education, arts, poverty reduction and tourism.

He said that it should urge members to expand its networks and call for youngsters to lay the foundation for long-term operations.

Phong joined Czech Ambassador to Vietnam Martin Klepetko and Honorary President of the Czech-Vietnam Friendship Association Marcel Winter in expressing his belief that the VCFA will continue tasting success in its bid to foster friendship between the Vietnamese and Czech people.

Newly-appointed VCFA President Nguyen Minh Hong highlighted the effectiveness of people-to-people exchanges made by the VCFA in recent years.

Hong, who is also Deputy Minister of Information and Communications, praised the launch of the e-portal www.hoivietsec.org.vn which fully documents the socio-economic performance of both Vietnam and the Czech Republic, as well as tracking the progress of the Vietnamese community in the European country.

The VCFA will continue to engage in Vietnam-Czech business forums in both countries in collaboration with the Czech Embassy in Vietnam and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he added.

One of 99 VUFO organisations, the VCFA has 2,000 registered members, including former students, researchers, workers, diplomats and officials who used to work in the Czech Republic.-VNA