(VOV) - The third congress of the Vietnam-Belarus Friendship Association was held in Hanoi on Saturday to chart its operation course for the 2014-2019 tenure. It elected Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thai Lai as President and a 34-member executive committee. In his speech, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Associations Nguyen Thi Hoang Van suggested that the association reform its activities to expand friendship and seek cooperative and development opportunities. On the occasion, the union presented certificates of merit and insignias “For peace, friendship among nations” to groups and individuals of the association in recognition of their active contributions to deepening the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.