(VNF) - President Tran Dai Quang congratulated Cuban Ambassador Herminio López Diaz on having successfully completed his working tenure in Vietnam, while hosting a reception for the diplomat in Hanoi on August 28.

The State leaders noted that during his four years working in Vietnam, the ambassador has become a trusted bridge between the leaders of two Parties and States, as well as a close friend and effective partner of Vietnam’s ministries, sectors, socio-political organizations and localities.

President Tran Dai Quang affirmed the relationship between Vietnam and Cuba is a special and exemplary ties which was fostered and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, their great leader Fidel Castro and generations of leaders and people of two countries. The Party, State and people of Vietnam always hold in their mind the contributions of Fidel Castro in the strengthening and development of bilateral relations. The image of leader Fidel Castro on Quang Tri battlefield in 1973, especially his famous saying “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to donate all his blood” has become a symbol of the two countries’ relations. “Cuba is always in the heart of every Vietnamese”, President Tran Dai Quang emphasized.

President Tran Dai Quang is pleased to see the solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between the two Parties, States and people have been continuously strengthened and developed across all areas. Political ties are more and more attached, dependable, reflected through the results of regular visits of the two countries' leaders. Relations between the socio-political organizations of the two countries have also been strengthened; Bilateral cooperation mechanisms have been regularly implemented with practical content across all channels.

President Tran Dai Quang congratulated the Cuban people on the socio-economic development and achievements in foreign affairs over the past few years, especially in the process of "updating the economic model". President Tran Dai Quang affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam will always stand by, support and share with the Party, State and people of Cuba in all fields; Vietnam is willing to continue to share with Cuba all its experience gained in Doi Moi over the past thirty years.

He recalled his fine impressions of Cuba during his visits there. On the occasion, he asked the ambassador to extend his most sincere greetings and wishes for good health to Cuban President Raul Castro and the other leaders of the Cuban Party and State.

For his part, Ambassador Herminio López Diaz expressed his sincere gratitude to the President for his fine sentiments towards Cuba, whilst conveying the congratulations from the Cuban State leader to President Tran Dai Quang on the occasion of Vietnam’s 72nd National Day.

He emphasised that President Quang’s visit to Cuba in late 2016 has opened up a new chapter in the traditional friendly relations between the two countries.

President Tran Dai Quang hoped that, when returning to Cuba, Ambassador Herminio López Díaz would always maintain good feelings and impressions about Vietnam and continue to contribute to the consolidation and development of Vietnam- Cuba relations. The President affirmed that Vietnam's ministries, branches, socio-political organizations and localities are willing to cooperate with and create favorable conditions for the Cuba Embassy in Vietnam to fulfill its mission as a bridge for the development of the special relations between Vietnam and Cuba.

Ambassador Herminio López Díaz affirmed that, in any position, he will continue to make active contribution to further deepen the traditional solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. The Cuban Embassy in Vietnam will always stand by the Cuban State in order to develop and enhance the fine relations between the two nations.

Some images at the reception:

Ngoc Tran