Prague (VNA) – The Union of Vietnamese PeopleAssociations in Europe held the second congress in Prague, the Czech Republic,on October 15, with the participation of nearly 300 delegates and guests from23 European countries.

The event was also attended by representatives of the VietnamFatherland Front Central Committee, the State Committee for Overseas VietnameseAffairs, and the embassies of Vietnam in 15 European countries.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the union Hoang DinhThang said the congress was an occasion for the union to review itsachievements as well as shortcomings in the first tenure so as to set up a workprogramme for the second, align its statutes with the current context, andelect enthusiastic, capable, reputable, and responsible candidates to the union’sexecutive committee and inspection board for the second tenure.

Nguyen Van Thao, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourgand the EU, expressed his hope that as relations between Vietnam and the EU arenow at their prime, the union will have a practical and effective action planto tap into its abundant potential and resources, especially of young people,entrepreneurs and intellectuals, in order to help strengthen Vietnam’scooperation with EU members and popularise the homeland’s image as aresponsible member of the international community.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Ambassador to the CzechRepublic Thai Xuan Dung said he hopes the union will promote mutual supportamong its member associations so that overseas Vietnamese can assist oneanother in the daily life and in integration into local communities, uphold and bringinto play Vietnam’s cultural identity, and contribute to the homeland.

Authorised by Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Chairwoman ofthe Czech Government’s Office J. Kotalikova said the long-standing cooperationbetween the two countries has been growing, partly contributed by the Vietnamesecommunity in her country. She noted PM Fiala is delighted that bilateralcooperation is not restricted to economy but has been expanded to culture andother social aspects.

Jan Zahradil, Vice Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committeeon International Trade, held that the union’s second congress held in Prague during the tenure of the Czech Republic’s presidency of the EU would help highlight messagesfrom the Vietnamese community in Europe.

Founded in 2016, the union has become the largest organisationof Vietnamese people in Europe.

The second congress was initially slated for October 2020 butdelayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

At the event, the union elected a 61-member executivecommittee with Hoang Dinh Thang re-elected its chairman./.