(VNA/VOVworld) - The Vietnam - Netherlands Friendship and Cooperation Association made its debut in Hanoi on Tuesday under a wide range of activities to celebrate the 40^th anniversary of bilateral relations. The association’s congress, held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Associations and the Dutch Embassy in Vietnam, elected former Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dao Xuan Hoc Chairman. The Vietnam - Netherlands Friendship and Cooperation Association with its nationwide operation will strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two peoples. New Chairman of the association Hoc spoke at the event: The Vietnamese and Dutch Prime Ministers have signed a cooperation and strategic partnership agreement in climate change and water management. The Netherlands is currently assisting Vietnam in its long-term Mekong delta development plan to respond to climate change and sea-level rise. The plan requires Vietnamese and Dutch experts to work closely, and the association will aid this cooperation. The Netherlands is providing Vietnam a number of post-graduate programs, so the association will collaborate with Dutch educators to set up programs appropriate to Vietnam universities’ agendas.

The Executive Board of the Vietnam - Netherlands Friendship and Cooperation Association (Photo: VNA.)

On this occasion, the Association announced a new logo combining images of lotus and tulip, the two countries’ national flowers.