Israel – Vietnam Friendship Association Established

Participants in the establishment ceremony for the Israel – Vietnam Friendship Association pose for a group photo. Photo: VNA

The Israel – Vietnam Friendship Association has been established with a view to increasing people diplomacy between the two countries, VNA reported Monday.

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.

Appreciating Vietnam’s rapid development in all aspects, the delegates hoped that the establishment of the Israel – Vietnam Friendship Association would open another bridge to promote bilateral relations and exchanges in various fields such as culture and tourism.

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.

“After leaving Vietnam, we, diplomats, said to each other that something had to be done at some point,” he said.

“One day we must establish a bridge between the two cultures. The people of the two countries share many similarities, but also many differences, and want to get to know each other,” he added, expressing his hope that more Israeli 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.

Hannah Nguyen

The post Israel – Vietnam Friendship Association Established appeared first on Vietexplorer.com.

View more from VietExplorer:

Hanoi’s street children left defenseless as COVID-19 pandemic sweeps through city
Community-based tourism developed in Binh Lieu District
First air passengers with vaccine passport arrive in Vietnam from Japan
Project spreads traditional cultural values of Vietnam’s villages
Manchester City make light work of thrashing hapless 10-man Arsenal
Ronaldo set to complete Man United return after day of high transfer drama
Eight songs uplift the spirit of people in Covid-19 fight
Demand for domestic travel information plunges due to COVID-19
Photo book introduces 103 stories about General Vo Nguyen Giap
Online music programme raises funds for COVID-19 affected people
PM requires efforts towards removal of EC’s “yellow card” by year-end
NA Chairman busy with series of activities in Austria
Vietnam chairs opening ceremony of 15th ASOSAI Assembly
Hanoi speeds up vaccination drive
Cu Chi Tunnels on path of becoming world treasure
Lotus harvest season in Quang Nam
Military forces enthusiastically helping people amid Covid-19 pandemic
Vietnam train for FIFA World Cup qualifier against Saudi Arabia in 43 degrees Celsius
Special art programme praises great victories of national liberation cause
Beach tourism and nature exploration favored after pandemic