General Phan Van Giang presided over the welcoming ceremony for the Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces.

General Phan Van Giang assessed that Minister Álvaro Lopez Miera's visit was particularly meaningful on the occasion of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year, when the two countries celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, contributing to further tightening the solidarity, friendship and special traditions between Vietnam and Cuba in general and the cooperation between the two Ministries of National Defense in particular.

General Phan Van Giang welcomed Minister Álvaro López Miera to visit Vietnam and attend the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day.

General Phan Van Giang said that September 2, 1945 was a major event in the history of the Vietnamese nation, marking the moment when President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam - the first people's democratic state in Southeast Asia, the predecessor of today's Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

The above event not only ended the colonial and feudal regimes but also opened a new era: the era of independence and freedom; the era of working people taking power, mastering the country, mastering the destiny of the nation; the era of national independence associated with socialism; at the same time strongly encouraged colonial peoples and oppressed forces in the world to stand up and fight for independence, freedom, democracy and social progress.

The Minister of National Defense stated that over the past 65 years, the Vietnam-Cuba relationship has become an exemplary symbol of pure, loyal and strong international solidarity. Despite being half a world away, the people of the two countries have always stood shoulder to shoulder, supported each other at all times.

General Phan Van Giang and Senior Lieutenant General Álvaro Lopez Miera review the Guard of Honor of the Vietnam People's Army.

Vietnam will never forget Cuba's great, wholehearted and loyal support during the most difficult years of the struggle for national independence and reunification, as well as in the current cause of national construction and defense.

The immortal words of leader Fidel Castro, “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its own blood” have become a shining symbol of the special traditional friendship and solidarity between the two countries. The Minister of Defense affirmed that this is a “pure, loyal, and strong” relationship.

Recently, First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel and Minister Álvaro López Miera laid flowers at the monument in tribute to Cuban military experts, one of the first two works in the overall symbolic complex recognizing the support and assistance of countries during Vietnam's resistance wars located at the Vietnam Military History Museum.

Thereby, expressing the affection of the Party, State, Army and people of Vietnam for the Cuban children who sacrificed for the noble international cause, fostering the traditional friendship, solidarity, loyalty and consistency between the two peoples.

In the context of Cuba facing unprecedented difficulties today, Vietnam deeply shares and is ready to accompany, support and cooperate with Cuba within its capacity.

Cuba is always proud to have Vietnam as a brother country.

Senior Lieutenant General Álvaro López Miera thanked Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang for his invitation to visit Vietnam, right on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year to celebrate the 65th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

He expressed his love and admiration for the beautiful country of Vietnam and was impressed with the 80th anniversary of National Day. The achievements of the Vietnamese people over the past 80 years are a great source of encouragement and motivation for the Cuban people in the current period. Cuba is always proud to have Vietnam as a brother country.

He said he is ready to promote and strengthen the relationship between the two countries' militaries, contributing to developing the special traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.

General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defense at the meeting

Lieutenant General Álvaro López Miera, Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces at the talks

The two Ministers assessed that in the overall relationship between the two countries, defense cooperation has always been one of the important pillars, contributing to promoting cooperation in other fields.

Military-defense cooperation activities between the two countries have been increasingly implemented extensively, practically and effectively. High-level delegations have been maintained regularly; cooperation in Party work and political work within the Army has been promoted. Cooperation in training, defense industry, air defense - air force, military medicine, exchange - twinning... continues to be implemented effectively.

In the coming time, the two sides will maintain exchanges between young officers, vacation groups, and organize exchanges of experience and expertise in areas of mutual interest. Promote cooperation in Party and political work in the Army, including proactively propagating and educating the people and the younger generation, as well as international friends, about the relationship between the two countries and the two Armies on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

General Phan Van Giang and Senior Lieutenant General Álvaro Lopez Miera visited the photo exhibition on the cooperative relationship between the two countries.

At the talks, the two sides discussed the world and regional situations and each country's military.

General Phan Van Giang emphasized that as a country that has experienced much pain and loss through wars, Vietnam consistently pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations; and is ready to cooperate with countries and international organizations for peace, cooperation and development.

Vietnam also persists in its "four no's" defense policy; advocates the struggle to resolve all disputes and disagreements by peaceful means on the basis of international law; and respects multilateral institutions, especially those led by the United Nations and ASEAN.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/dai-tuong-phan-van-giang-chu-tri-le-don-bo-truong-cac-llvt-cach-mang-cuba-2438760.html