Participants in the establishment ceremony for the Israel - Vietnam Friendship Association pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)The establishment ceremony was held at the Israeli Foreign Ministry’sheadquarters 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 stillmaintain their special sentiment towards the Southeast Asian nation.
Association Chairman Amikam Levy, who served as Ambassador toVietnam from 2001 to 2003, said the organisation hopes to further promote andintensify relations between the two countries, which boast a number ofsimilarities, particularly in culture.
Former Deputy Ambassador Eyal Buvilski said the time he workedin 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 thatmore Israeli and Vietnamese people will visit each other’s countries.
Vietnamese Ambassador Ly Duc Trung said Vietnam attachesimportance to the people diplomacy, which has a crucial role to play increating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for developing thecountry and raising its stature.
He added businesses of the countries have enjoyed thrivingpartnerships, but more cooperation between the two peoples is necessary forfostering bilateral relations.
Trung expected the association will become acommon home for all to contribute to the reinforcement of these ties./.
VNA
