The Cuban general is leading a delegation to pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the Vietnam International Defense Expo 2022 from December 1 to 12.
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An overview of the reception |
At the reception, General Phan Van Giang expressed his belief that the guest’s visit would be a success, thus enhancing the traditional relations between the two parties, governments, states, peoples, and militaries.
He said that the visit takes place at a time of special significance that the 66th anniversary of the landing of the Granma, the 66th founding anniversary of the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba (December 2, 1956 - 2022) and the 62nd anniversary of the diplomatic relations of Vietnam and Cuba (December 2, 1960 - 2022) are being celebrated.
Speaking highly of the special ties between Vietnam and Cuba which generations of their party and state leaders, people and militaries have paid attention to, nurtured, developed and which have become the iconic exemplary relationship of the era, Defense Minister Phan Van Giang confirmed that Vietnam is very happy to have a brother far in geographical distance but close in emotion.
He stressed that the country has never forgotten the wholehearted support of the Cuban Party, Government, people and military for its revolutionary and national construction cause and would like to thank the Cuban people for their precious affection and support for their Vietnamese counterparts in the COVID-19 fight.
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Defense Minister General Phan Van Giang (right) presents a souvenir to Two-star General Víctor Rojo Ramos. |
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Two-star General Víctor Rojo Ramos presents a gift to General Phan Van Giang. |
The host also laid stress on the maintenance and development of the two countries’ ties despite COVID-19 through the frequency of visits by senior leaders of the two countries, contributing to promoting their cooperation in all fields. He highly praised effective bilateral defense cooperation in such fields as defense industry, training, military medicine, party and political work.
General Phan Van Giang affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense always wishes to promote and implement the contents of cooperation with the Cuban counterpart in a comprehensive, effective, and practical manner.
He highly appreciated the outcomes of the talks between the Cuban and Vietnamese delegation held earlier the same day and the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation and sharing of experience in Party and political work. He stressed that the Vietnamese ministry’s leaders will create the best possible conditions and directed its affiliates to carry out the agreed contents practically and effectively.
He noted that the Cuban delegation’s participation in the aforementioned expo will contribute to the general success of the event.
For his part, Two-star General Víctor Rojo Ramos expressed his pleasure and honor to visit beautiful Vietnam. He is touched with the warm sentiment from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense leaders and Vietnamese people, saying that it shows the closeness, brotherhood, and friendliness of the two countries. He shared that “the winter in Hanoi is very cold. However, we have not felt the cold yet, but the warm affection that the Vietnamese people have for us.”
He conveyed the greetings of General Raul Castro Ruz, Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba and Commander-in-Chief of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, to General Phan Van Giang.
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General Phan Van Giang, Two-star General Víctor Rojo Ramos, and delegates in a joint photo |
Also at the meeting, the Cuban general cited Late Cuban President Fidel Castro’s saying “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to devote its blood” and confirmed that Cuba keeps inheriting that spirit. “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to give its life,” he stressed.
He took this chance to thank the Vietnam People’s Army for its great support in the Cuba’s national construction and protection. He affirmed that the bilateral defense ties have become a pillar and an example to boost cooperation in other fields. Cuba treasures and upholds its relationship with Vietnam, and wishes to accelerate the collaboration across all fields, particularly defense cooperation in the coming time, said the Cuban official.
Translated by Mai Huong