During the event, General Giang thanked the delegation of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces for attending the ceremony, and affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the precious, wholehearted, and meaningful support from peace-loving people around the world, especially from the Cuban people and armed forces. He recalled the President Fidel Castro’s immortal saying: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its own blood.”
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Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang receives Chief of the Political Directorate of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces Lieutenant General Victor Leonardo Rojo Ramos. |
General Giang emphasized that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense considered defense cooperation with Cuba a pillar in the bilateral relations, and highly appreciated the cooperation activities conducted in recent years. Based on the 2023-2025 Defense Cooperation Plan, both sides have implemented effective activities in areas, such as Party and political work, training, communications, logistics, and established twinning relationships, among others, so as to strengthen the capabilities of national protection of both militaries in the current context, contributing to peace, stability, and mutual development in the region and the world.
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Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang and Chief of the Political Directorate of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces Lieutenant General Victor Leonardo Rojo Ramos |
Lieutenant General Rojo Ramos congratulated Vietnam on the successful organization of the 50th anniversary of the South Liberation and National Reunification Day, particularly recognizing the role of the Vietnam People’s Army. He expressed his gratitude at Vietnam’s entrance into a new development era and reaffirmed that Cuba would continue to stand by the Vietnamese people and military to nurture and enhance the special friendship and solidarity between the two nations. He also expressed hope that both sides would continue to deepen their defense cooperation effectively and substantially.
* On the same day, Lieutenant General Rojo Ramos also held talks with Senior Lieutenant General Trinh Van Quyet, Chief of the General Department of Political Affairs of the Vietnam People’s Army.
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Senior Lieutenant General Trinh Van Quyet presents a souvenir to Chief of the Political Directorate of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces Lieutenant General Victor Leonardo Rojo Ramos. |
General Quyet thanked the Cuban delegation for attending the ceremony and reiterated Vietnam’s appreciation for Cuba’s sincere support. He noted that, since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on Party and political cooperation in December 2022, the two sides have achieved important outcomes, including the completion of episodes 4 and 5 of the “Two hearts beat as one” documentary film, sharing experience in countering hostile forces, ensuring political security, enhancing cooperation in education and training, and expanding twinning activities between agencies and units.
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Delegates in a joint photo |
Looking ahead to the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (December 2, 1960 - 2025), and the “Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year” in 2025, General Quyet hoped that the two sides would jointly organize wide-ranging, effective dissemination campaigns to raise awareness, especially among young generations and the international community, about the special traditional relations between the two nations and their armed forces.
Lieutenant General Rojo Ramos was impressed by the ceremony and the development of Vietnam, including its military. He praised the Communist Party of Vietnam, under the leadership of General Secretary To Lam, for leading the country into a new era and extended his best wishes for the successful 14th National Party Congress in 2026. He also reaffirmed that the bilateral defense cooperation over the past time has achieved positive outcomes in many fields, especially in Party and political work, while hailing the value of the documentary series, which contributes to promoting the special traditional relations between the two countries and militaries.
* The same day, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army General and Deputy Minister of National Defense General Nguyen Tan Cuong also met with Lieutenant General Rojo Ramos.
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General Nguyen Tan Cuong hands over a souvenir to Chief of the Political Directorate of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces Lieutenant General Victor Leonardo Rojo Ramos. |
General Cuong thanked the Cuban delegation for their attendance at the important event of Vietnam and emphasized that bilateral defense cooperation had continued to develop in line with signed agreements and the shared vision of both countries’ high-level leaders. He stressed that this cooperation has strengthened mutual trust, enhanced the power of both militaries, and contributed to safeguarding each country’s sovereignty and people.
General Cuong proposed that in the time ahead, both sides should focus on delegation exchanges, expanding twinning relations, and conducting technology research and transfer, to name but a few.
Lieutenant General Rojo Ramos expressed his impression of the development of Vietnam-Cuba relations in general, particularly between the two armed forces, and hoped to continue expanding practical bilateral defense ties in line with mutual interests. He reaffirmed President Fidel Castro’s immortal saying: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its own blood,” as a guiding principle for solidarity and partnership between the two countries.
Translated by Minh Anh