Israel – Vietnam Friendship Association comes into being

Tel Aviv (VNA) – The Israel – Vietnam Friendship Association has been established with a view to increasing people diplomacy between the two countries.

The establishment ceremony was held at the Israeli Foreign Ministry 's headquarters on January 22, one of the activities ahead of the 30th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties this year.

The association gathers generations of Israeli ambassadors, deputy ambassadors, and diplomats who used to work in Vietnam over the last 20 years. Some of them have retired or moved to the private sector but still maintain their special sentiment towards the Southeast Asian nation.

Association Chairman Amikam Levy, who served as Ambassador to Vietnam from 2001 to 2003, said the organisation hopes to further promote and intensify relations between the two countries, which boast a number of similarities, particularly in culture.

Former Deputy Ambassador Eyal Buvilski said the time he worked in Vietnam was a great experience for not only himself but also his family.

As bilateral ties are flourishing at the governmental level, it's time for the people diplomacy to develop correspondingly, and the founding of the association is to do so, he noted, expressing his hope that more Israel i and Vietnamese people will visit each other's countries.

Vietnamese Ambassador Ly Duc Trung said Vietnam attaches importance to the people diplomacy, which has a crucial role to play in creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for developing the country and raising its stature.

He added businesses of the countries have enjoyed thriving partnerships, but more cooperation between the two peoples is necessary for fostering bilateral relations.

Trung expected the association will become a common home for all to contribute to the reinforcement of these ties./.

VNA