Addressing the congress, Cambodian Minister of Cult and Religion Min Khin, who is also Vice President of the National Council of Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodia’s Motherland, spoke highly of the Vietnamese community’s activities and active contributions to Cambodia’s national construction.

The minister took the occasion to express the sincere thanks of the Cambodian people to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers for their sacrifice in helping overthrow the Khmer genocidal regime and revive Cambodia.

She wished the congress every success and the two countries’ traditional friendship and solidarity a sustainable future.

President of the Provisional Executive Committee of the AOVC Chau Van Chi spoke of the association’s activities during the 2008-2010 period with its chapters and headquarters setting up in 20 out of 24 provinces and cities of the country.

The association has almost 6,000 new members and 52 chapters at precinct and district levels, she said.

It has developed a close relationship with Cambodian authorities to facilitate its chapters’ operation and coordinated with local authorities to protect the legitimate rights of the Vietnamese community in Cambodia in accordance with the resident country’s law.

The association has also helped OVs to overcome the consequences of disasters and taught Vietnamese and Vietnam’s education programme for Overseas Vietnamese children.

The congress also elected a 36-member executive committee will five Vice Presidents and former provisionary president Chau Van Chi as President of the association.

The AOVC was set up in February, 2003 and a provisional executive committee made its debut in early 2008. At present, the association is an official member of the National Council of Solidarity Fronts for the Development of Cambodia’s Motherland and a member of the Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Association.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Ngo Anh Dung, Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Tran Hong Tham and representatives of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese attended the event./.