(VOVworld) – A 29-member executive board has been elected at the First Congress of the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association for the 2014-2015 term on Wednesday in Hanoi. Vu Van Tam, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development was appointed the Chairman of the Association for this term.

Vu Xuan Hong, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), said Vietnam’s Party and State had always paid attention to fostering friendship and cooperation with Southeast Asian nations including the Philippines. The establishment of the Vietnam-Philippines Friendship Association is a new step to develop bilateral cooperation, friendship and people exchanges. Hong said the Association, together with other bilateral organizations in Vietnam and other ASEAN countries, will work together on practical activities to boost understanding between Vietnam and the Philippines and other ASEAN countries and develop the ASEAN community in 2015.