General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez attended a warm meeting with representatives of Cuban friendship organisations and youth in Havana on September 27. The meeting was jointly organized by The Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations, The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples and Embassy of Viet Nam in Cuba.
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| General Secretary and President To Lam and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez at the meeting. (Photo: VNA) |
At the event, Yolanda Ferrer Gómez, a member of the PCC Central Committee and President of the Cuba-Viet Nam Friendship Association, recalled unforgettable memories of her and Cuban heroine Melba Hernández founding the Cuba-South Viet Nam solidarity committee, the first of its kind in the world, under the direction of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro.
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| Yolanda Ferrer Gomez, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Cuba-Viet Nam Friendship Association, fondly remembered the establishment of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Viet Nam alongside Cuban heroine Melba Hernandez. As the world’s first organization to unite with South Vietnam, it was founded under the guidance of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro. (Photo: Cubadebate) |
She noted that with his vision and political acumen, Fidel Castro recognised the historical significance of Viet Nam’s struggle against US forces and saw the necessity of developing a global solidarity movement with Viet Nam.
During the event, the Vietnamese Party and State leader presented the friendship order to the Union of Young Communists of Cuba (UJC) for their contributions to strengthening the two countries’ relationship.
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| First Secretary of the Young Communist League of Cuba (UJC), Meyvis Esteves Echevarria, on behalf of Cuban youth, expressed deep gratitude to the leaders of the Party and the State of Viet Nam for awarding the Friendship Medal. (Photo: Cubadebate) |
Meyvis Esteves Echevarria, First Secretary of the UJC, affirmed a commitment to preserving and deepening the legacy that connects Viet Nam and Cuba and ensuring that their friendship continues to grow stronger.
In his remarks, the PCC First Secretary affirmed the two countries’ shared vision of building socialism. He said that the Vietnamese high-level delegation’s ongoing state visit is of historic significance and marks a new milestone in the bilateral special friendship.
Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez expressed his admiration for Viet Nam’s achievements in its national building and development process, noting that the success of the country’s Doi Moi (Renewal) policy is clear proof that constructing a socialist society is entirely possible.
He also expressed gratitude for Viet Nam’s strong support in urging the US to lift its embargo and remove Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
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| General Secretary and President To Lam addressed a gathering with representatives of people-to-people friendship organizations and the youth of Cuba. He stated that seldom in world history has there been a relationship as unique as that between the two Parties, two States, and the peoples of Viet Nam and Cuba. (Photo: Cubadebate) |
Lam stressed that it is rare to see in world history such a relationship like the one between Viet Nam and Cuba, which was nurtured over many decades by revolutionary leaders such as José Martí, Ho Chi Minh, Fidel Castro, and generations of leaders from both countries. He reiterated that Vietnam always appreciates Cuba’s unwavering support during its past struggle for independence as well as in its cause of national development and defence.
The Vietnamese Party and State leader went on affirming Viet Nam’s consistent stance in supporting Cuba’s just fight and called for an immediate and unconditional end to the more than 60-year-long blockade and other actions against Cuba.
He suggested that both nations further promote exchanges between their social organisations, localities, and people to strengthen mutual understanding and camaraderie.
He announced that Vietnamese and Cuban leaders agreed to designate 2025, the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations, as the year of Viet Nam-Cuba friendship, offering an opportunity for the sides to coordinate practical and meaningful people-to-people exchanges and link them to a series of economic, trade, investment, and tourism cooperation activities
Lam also expressed his hope that the younger generations of both nations will continue to preserve and build upon the tradition of bilateral solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation, ensuring that the ties remain strong and continue to contribute positively to the cause of national construction and defence in both countries.
Source: VUFO, VNA, Vietnamtimes