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Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang hosts a welcome ceremony for his Cuban counterpart Álvaro López Miera at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense. |
At the meeting, Gen. Giang emphasized that the visit of the guest carried special significance since it coincided with the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Year and the two countries celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations (December 2, 1960 - 2025). Thus, the visit further strengthened the special traditional solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cuba in general, and the cooperative ties between the two ministries in particular.
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The two defense ministers review the guards-of-honor. |
The Vietnamese defense chief affirmed that over the past 65 years, the Vietnam – Cuba relations have become a symbol of pure, loyal, and enduring international solidarity. Despite geographical distance, the people of the two countries have always stood side by side, supporting each other at every stage. Vietnam will never forget Cuba’s wholehearted and meaningful support during the most difficult years of its struggle for national independence and reunification, and in the current national construction and defense cause. He underlined the immortal statement by leader Fidel Castro, “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its own blood.”
Gen. Giang highlighted the wreath-laying by First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez and Gen. Miera at the monument honoring Cuban military advisors. He said that the monument is one of the first two structures within the memorial complex dedicated to international support for Vietnam during its resistance wars, located at the outdoor space of the Vietnam Military History Museum, reflecting the sentiments of the Party, State, military, and people of Vietnam toward Cuban comrades who sacrificed their lives for the noble internationalist mission, helping cultivate traditional friendship, solidarity and faithfulness between the two peoples. As Cuba is facing unprecedented current challenges, Vietnam deeply shares and stands ready to accompany, support, and cooperate with Cuba within its capacity, he stressed.
Gen. Giang stressed that bilateral defense cooperation has always among the important pillars in the bilateral relations, contributing to advancing collaboration in other areas. About future cooperation, Gen. Giang proposed the two sides enhance exchanges of delegation; maintain exchange, experience and expertise sharing between the two sides’ young officers; step up cooperation in Party and political work and popularization of the two countries and their militaries’ relations among local people, especially the young generation, and international friends, and more.
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Gen. Phan Van Giang at the talks |
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Gen. Giang and his entourage |
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Sr. Lt. Gen. Álvaro López Miera at the talks |
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The Cuban Minister and his entourage |
For his part, Gen. Miera expressed his delight at returning to Vietnam during the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Year and on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations. He conveyed his deep affection for Vietnam and shared his strong impression of the grand celebration on September 2, affirming that the Vietnamese people’s achievements over the past 80 years serve as a great source of encouragement and inspiration for the Cuban people in the current situation.
He emphasized that Cuba is always proud to have Vietnam as a brotherly nation and expressed his readiness to further promote and consolidate defense ties between the two militaries, thereby further developing the special and time-tested friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.
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The two ministers sign the defense cooperation plan. |
During the talks, the two ministers exchanged views on regional and global situation and that of respective military. The two defense chiefs then signed the defense cooperation plan for the 2026-2028 period.
Translated by Mai Huong