The trip, to be made at the invitation of President of the National Assembly of the People’s Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández, takes place from April 18 on the threshold of the 50th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated zone in South Vietnam in Quang Tri Province in September 1973 and 60 years since the establishment of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam (September 25, 1963).
In an interview with the Vietnam News Agency, Ambassador Hernández Guillén stressed that Fidel Castro was the first and only foreign leader to have done so.
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Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro and Prime Minister Pham Van Dong at a meeting of people to welcome the Cuban leader to the liberated zone in South Vietnam, in Quang Tri Province in September 1973. (Photo: VNA) |
The Cuban leader’s presence in Quang Tri, located on the frontline between North and South Vietnam just a few months after the Paris Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam was signed in January 1973, and his immortal remark “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood” became symbols of the close-knit and faithful solidarity and fraternity of the two peoples for the sake of peace, national independence, democracy, and progress in the world.
Chairman Hue is scheduled to deliver a speech at the Cuban parliament on April 19, which will coincide with the anniversary of Cuba’s Giron Victory (April 19, 1961) and the opening of the 10th-tenure Cuban parliament’s first session after the parliamentary elections on March 26. According to the diplomat, the historical event is only occurring because the Vietnam - Cuba relationship and bilateral ties are extremely special.
The two countries boast fraternity, solidarity, and consistent mutual support during the struggle for independence, sovereignty safeguarding, and development, he noted, elaborating that Cuba supported Vietnam’s fight for national liberation, and when it is facing difficulties, such as at present, Vietnam has also provided assistance and solidarity to the Cuban people.
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Secretary General of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) and head of its Office Bui Van Cuong meets Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Orlando Nicolás Hernández and presents the gifts from the National Assembly of Vietnam to the National Assembly of the People's Power of Cuba in July 2022. (Photo: VNA) |
Cuba and Vietnam have many cooperation fields of economic complementarity. The Southeast Asian nation has supplied several essential commodities, especially rice, along with many technological products for Cuba, thus helping the Latin American country guarantee food security and stabilise equipment supply. Meanwhile, Cuba also produces many world-famous products, including traditional ones like cigars and rum and products of the genetic, biological, and pharmaceutical technologies, Hernández Guillén went on.
Talking about parliamentary cooperation, he noted the two legislative bodies boast long-standing and extensive relations, through which Vietnam can boost the sharing of development experience with Cuba.
During Chairman Hue’s visit, the two sides will also discuss many cooperation areas and sign a number of important agreements, the diplomat added.
