Peace activists from peace organisations and councils of various countries around the world gathered at the World Peace Council (WPC) Executive Committee's meeting that opened in Hanoi on November 24.

National Assembly Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam Peace Committee, addresses the meeting (Photo: http://thoidai.com.vn)

Opening the event, National Assembly Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam Peace Committee, noted that in 68 years of formation and development, the WPC has made important contributions to the world movements of fostering solidarity with nations struggling for peace, independence, democracy and progress.

The council greatly supported the formation of a large network of people supporting Vietnam during the country’s fights for national independence and reunification in the past as well as the current construction and development cause.

Luu expressed hope that through the meeting, the first one held after the council’s congress in Brazil in 2016, participants will discuss frankly and objectively on peace and security in the region and the world, and share experience of their country’s peace activities, thus designing a specific plan of actions to increase its role and influence in the maintenance of peace.

President of the WPC Socorro Gomes said that over the past years, the council has actively protested wars, interferences and coup d’états and demanded fair political solutions to disputes.

She noted that fighting for peace, democracy and justice is an unchangeable trend of the current era, which is backed by the council.

During the two-day event, participants also sought measures to implement specific activities of the council in the 2017-2020 period.

On the occasion, Luu presented the Friendship Order to Pallab Sengupta, Secretary General of the All-India Peace and Solidarity Organisation to recognise his efforts in strengthening the friendship between India and Vietnam.

At the event, Luu also presented the insignia of “For peace and friendship among nations” to President Socorro Gomes, General Secretary Athanasios Pafilis, and Executive Secretary Iraklis Tsavdaridis of the WPC.

Vietnam sees peace protection as top priority: top legislator

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan welcomes delegates attending World Peace Council  Executive Committee's Meeting in Hanoi 

Vietnam always backs and creates optimal conditions for people’s organisations, including the Vietnam Peace Committee, to engage in activities of world peace movements, stated National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.  

Vietnam considers the protection of peace as a top priority, stressed the top legislator at a meeting with leaders of the World Peace Council (WPC) and delegates attending the council’s meeting on November 24 in Hanoi.

As Vietnam experienced wars, the country is deeply aware of the value of peace, she said.

Ngan welcomed the WPC delegates to visit Vietnam in a time when the world has celebrated the 100th anniversary of the Russian October Revolution. Vietnam has recently held a meeting to mark the event, during which General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam delivered an important speech, she noted.

She affirmed that the people of Vietnam always keep in their mind the support that the WPC and its member organisations and countries have given to Vietnam during the past struggle for national independence and reunification as well as current national construction and development.

Ngan also clarified Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of peace, independence, self-reliance, diversification, multilateralisation and active global integration, adding that the country has worked hard to join the world community’s efforts to secure peace. Recently, the country successfully hosted the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting and related meetings with a hope of contributing to the APEC progress and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region, she noted.

She also expressed her hope that the WPC will continue uniting forces for peace, solidarity, stability and development of nations, while assisting Vietnam in the current national construction and development.

For her part, WPC President Socorro Gomez highly valued Vietnamese people’s love for peace as well as solidarity with people in the rest of the world for peace and unity in the globe.

She told the host that the WPC meeting in Hanoi gathered delegates from different countries, who share a common objective of peace – a value that President Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam devoted his whole life for.

VNA