>>> Vietnam pledges assistance to Cuba over COVID-19 combat: PM
The presentation took place at the Cuban Embassy in Hanoi on the morning of May 13, in which Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam, Lianys Torres Rivera, received a token gesture representative of the rice from Viglacera Deputy General Director Tran Ngoc Anh.
The donation was made by staff from the ViMariel SA Company – an affiliate under the Vietnamese construction material corporation Viglacera – that operates in the Mariel Special Economic Development Zone in Cuba.
Their wish is to donate the rice through the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam in order to support Cuban doctors in the fight against COVID-19 in the Caribbean country.
Speaking at the handing over ceremony, Anh said that the gift shows the solidarity, respect and appreciation of the Vietnamese people towards Cuban medical doctors who are on the front line against the epidemic. It is expected to ease difficulties for Cuba in the fight against the global pandemic, Anh added.
Thanking Viglacera for supporting the Cuban people to overcome the disease, Ambassador Lianys Rivera Torres said that international solidarity is the only way to solve the urgent task of fighting COVID-19. Vietnam has always shown a spirit of solidarity and support with Cuba in any difficult period, she affirmed.
Emphasising that the gift is an encouragement to Cuban medical staff, the diplomat said that Cuban people were very happy to receive 5,000 tonnes of rice from the Party, State and the people of Vietnam last month. Immediately after that, various Vietnamese organisations, businesses and individuals also joined hands to support the Cuban people to overcome this difficult situation, she added.
The Cuban ambassador also expressed her belief that in the spirit of international solidarity and tireless efforts from the political system and authorities of the two countries, Vietnam and Cuba would triumph over the disease together, as well as overcome other difficulties and promote their national development.
