The Vietnam - Venezuela Friendship Association held the second congress in Hanoi on December 23, electing a 36-member executive board for the 2014-2019 tenure.

Vice President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration Nguyen Viet Thao was elected as new President of the association.

The newly-elected executive board of the Vietnam - Venezuela Friendship Association. Photo: vov.vn

Since its inception in 2007, the association has made active contributions to the growing ties between Vietnam and Venezuela in politics and economics, former President Vu Van Hien said.

The two countries have signed over 50 cooperation agreements in various fields from energy, oil and gas, agriculture and forestry to communication information, culture, education, sports and tourism.

The pair also witnessed regular people-to-people exchanges to strengthen solidarity and traditional friendship, he further said.

Venezuelan Ambassador to Vietnam Jorge Rondon Uzcategui pledged to actively work with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association to implement joint collaboration programmes.

Newly-elected President Thao said the association will carry out more activities to enhance the mutual understanding and strategic partnership between the two countries.

Source: VNA