Vietnam, Cuba work to tighten time-honoured friendship
Leaders of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Cuban Institute of Friendship with Peoples (ICAP) held talks on November 23 evening to discuss ways to tighten friendship between the two agencies in particular and between Vietnam and Cuba in general.
Overview of the talks between leaders of VUFO and ICAP in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Leadersof the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Cuban Instituteof Friendship with Peoples (ICAP) held talks on November 23 evening to discussways to tighten friendship between the two agencies in particular and betweenVietnam and Cuba in general.
Speaking at the event, VUFO President Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga expressedher delight that Cuba officially enters the “new normal” when allowing studentsof all grades to return to school, opening its door to foreign tourists with flexible regulations, andreactivating business and production activities across the nation.
Although the COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted external anddirect cooperation activities, the two organisations have regularly exchanged andgot updated on each other’s information, contributing to spreading the sense ofsolidarity to the two countries’ people, particularly young generations.
ICAP President Fernando González Llort thanked the Vietnamese Party, State andpeople for standing side by side with the Cuban people during difficult times.
The two sides affirmed that they will continue to organisefriendly exchange activities and celebrate important anniversaries such as the50th anniversary of President Fidel Castro's visit to Vietnam, the 62ndanniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations (December 2,1960 - 2022), together with activities to mark President Ho Chi Minh's birthdayand Vietnam's National Day.
They agreed that in the coming time, the VUFO and the ICAP willcontinue to further strengthen cooperation in the fields of peace, solidarity andfriendship; regularly organise online information exchange activities targetingfriendship associations of the two countries’ localities; and have more initiativesto reform operations to further tighten the Vietnam-Cuba friendship./.
Vietnam and Cuba released a 12-point joint statement on the occasion of Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official friendship visit to Cuba from September 18-20 at the invitation of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.
Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Orlando Nicolás Hernández Guillén has appreciated President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official visit to Cuba from September 18-21, affirming that the outcomes of the visit will contribute to deepening the time-tested friendship and solidarity between the two countries.
900,000 doses of COVID-19 Abdala vaccine developed and produced by the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) of Cuba were handed over to the Vietnamese Embassy in the country on September 24 (Cuba time).
Chairman of the National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations Vu Hai Ha has been elected as Chairman of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association for the 2021-2025 tenure.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong hosted a reception in Hanoi on October 29 for new Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Orlando Nicolás Hernández Guillén, on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the historic meeting between President Ho Chi Minh and leader of the Cuban revolution Raul Castro.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Overview of the talks between leaders of VUFO and ICAP in Hanoi (Photo: VNA) 
