According to VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga, Vietnam and the UAE currently have no official bilateral friendship organization, however, two sides' embassies maintain a close and cooperative relationship. People-to-people exchanges between the two countries are vibrantly growing thanks to the establishment of a direct flight route. Vietnam and the UAE can establish cooperation through many channels, from embassies to friendship associations such as the Vietnam - Africa Friendship Association, and the Organization of Solidarity of the Peoples of Asia, Africa, and Latin America.

VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga (right) received Chargé d'Affaires of the United Arab Emirates to Vietnam Abdulla Alhameli (Photo: Thu Ha)

Nguyen Phuong Nga said that in 2023, Vietnam and the UAE would celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, which is an important event in the two countries' relations. VUFO is willing to coordinate in organizing commemorative activities such as celebrations, and photo exhibitions on bilateral relations to strengthen the solidarity, friendship, and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries. At the same time, VUFO President hoped the UAE embassy would introduce people's organizations to partner with VUFO's activities.

According to Chargé d'Affaires Abdulla Alhameli, among Gulf countries, the UAE has advantages in establishing cooperative relations with Vietnam thanks to the direct flights. Before the pandemic, the UAE welcomed more than 40,000 Vietnamese visitors annually. Currently, about 3,000 Vietnamese people are living and working in the UAE. This is an opportunity to boost people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. Alhameli hopes to promote bilateral cooperation with Vietnam, particularly VUFO. Based on recommendations made by Nguyen Phuong Nga, the UAE embassy would come up with ideas to strengthen bilateral relations with Vietnam.

At the meeting, President Nguyen Phuong Nga congratulated the UAE on being elected as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2022-2023 tenure and a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2022- 2024 tenure. She congratulated Chargé d'Affaires Abdulla Alhameli for taking on a new position in Vietnam and believed that he would have a successful tenure, contributing to the traditional friendship between the two countries.

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