(VNF) - On June 21^st, the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association of Phu Tho province held the founding Congress for the 2018-2023 tenure.

At the founding Congress.

Dao Xuan Mui, former deputy head of the Vietnam veteran expert liaison committee in Phu Tho, was elected as President of the association for the 2018-2023 tenure, heading a 17-member-executive board.

The Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association of Phu Tho province was established under the Decision No. 1054 / QD-UBND of the Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee signed on May 17^th, 2018. The establishment of provincial Vietnam – Cambodia Friendship Association is essential for enhancing friendship, peace, cooperation, integration and development in the current context of nationwide innovation.

Under the motto of “good neighbourliness, traditional friendship and comprehensive, sustainable and long-term cooperation”, during its first term from 2018 to 2023, the newly-founded friendship association will enhance its important role in promoting people-to-people diplomatic activities between the province and Cambodian localities. This will help maintain peace as well as strengthen bilateral solidarity, friendship and cooperation with the Cambodian people through their practical cooperative solutions.

According to Tran Phu Tieu, Chairman of Provincial Fatherland Front, President of provincial Union of Friendship Organisations, in recent years, relations between Vietnam and Cambodia have been constantly promoted by their leaders and peoples, bringing practical benefits to the two peoples. The two sides maintain high-level visits and exchanges at all levels, strengthening the trust between the leaders and peoples of both countries and promoting bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

The delegates at the Congress agreed to improve its activities towards organising more cultural, artistic and educational exchanges, in order to strengthen the bilateral friendship, solidarity and cooperation between Phu Tho and Cambodian localities./.

Translated by Phuong Nguyen