British friendship organisation co-founders awarded Vietnamese medals for peace and friendship
The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) on December 4 presented the Medal “For Peace and Friendship Among Nations” to Ben Chapman, Warwick Morris and Paul Smith, the co-founders of the Vietnam-UK Network (VUKN), to honour their outstanding contributions to the relations between the two countries.
London (VNA) - The Vietnam Union ofFriendship Organisations (VUFO) on December 4 presented the Medal “For Peaceand Friendship Among Nations” to Ben Chapman, Warwick Morris and Paul Smith,the co-founders of the Vietnam-UK Network (VUKN), to honour their outstanding contributionsto the relations between the two countries.
The medal, the highest awardof the Presidium of VUFO, was presented by Nguyen Van Phuc, First Vice Chair ofthe Vietnam-UK Friendship Association (VUFA), at VUKN’s annual pre-Christmas receptionin London, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-UK relationsand 10th anniversary of the Network.
According to VUKN, its founders were honoured notonly for their outstanding contributions to the culture, politics, economy, andsociety of Vietnam over the decade through the establishment and development ofthe Network, but also for their contributions and achievements in a number ofother important roles which have contributed positively to the development ofthe Vietnam-UK relations. Founding Chair of VUKN, Ben Chapman, was a formerMember of Parliament while former Chair Warwick Morris was former BritishAmbassador to Vietnam and former Vice Chair Paul Smith was founder of softwaregroup Nash Tech with years of business experience in Vietnam.
The Network said the presentation of thiscommemorative medal affirmed Vietnam's high appreciation of the contributionsof British individuals and organisations to the relations between the twocountries and peoples.
At the event, VUKN and VUFA also signed a new five-yearMemorandum of Cooperation (MoC), which acknowledges the two organisations’ longstanding and fruitful on-going relationship while marking a new era ofpartnership between them. The partnership is expected to enhance therelations between British and Vietnamese peoples in various fields of mutualinterest, from business, science and technology, environment to culture andwelfare.
Addressing the event, VUKNChair Mark Kent, who is also former British Ambassador to Vietnam, said thisyear marked not only the 50 years of Vietnam-UK diplomatic relations but alsothe 10th anniversary of VUKN. He highlighted the contributions of the VUKNfounders as well as diplomats and many others from both countries to thisachievement.
Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long reaffirmed thecommitment to do everything to enhance cooperation and relations between thetwo countries.
Phuc said the achievements in developing relationsbetween the two peoples and the effective cooperation between VUFA and VUKNhave been largely attributable to the contributions and enthusiasm from theVUNK co-founders, its Chairman Mark Kent and members.
Established in early 2013, VUKN is a friendshiporganisation run by British volunteers to promote friendship and comprehensivecooperation between the two countries./.
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At the medal presentation ceremony (Photo: VNA) 
