Vice President - General Secretary of Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Phan Anh Son received Cuban Deputy Head of Mission to Vietnam Joy Puentes Saldise. (Photo: Valerie Mai)

Joy Puentes Saldise thanked VUFO's warm welcoming. According to the suggestions of the leaders of The Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP), the diplomat picked VUFO as one of the first agencies to pay a courtesy visit.

The Cuban diplomat said although Vietnam and Cuba were geographically apart, the two countries maintained close relations, which had been nurtured by many generations since Vietnamese president Ho Chi Minh and Cuban president Fidel Castro laid the foundation.

Vice President - Secretary General VUFO Phan Anh Son welcomed Deputy Head of Mission to Vietnam Joy Puentes Saldise to receive a new position.

Phan Anh Son presented souvenirs to Joy Puentes Saldise. (Photo: Valerie Mai)

According to Son, imprints of the support that the two countries gave each other during the war can still be found in both countries in present days. That sentiment is preserved and enhanced by both peoples through people-to-people organizations, such as ICAP, VUFOs, the Vietnam-Cuba, and Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Organizations.

Last year, VUFO and the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Organization organized important anniversaries of the two countries' friendship, supported and stood side by side with Cuban people through ups and downs, from the riots on July 11, 2021, to the reopening after Covid on November 15, 2021.

Also in 2021, VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga visited to Cuba and worked with Cuban partners such as ICAP, Cuban - Vietnam Friendship Association, Habana University. All sides agreed to promote activities to raise understanding of people about the special relations, promoting a good friendship in the new context.

VUFO hopes to soon welcome delegations of Cuba to visit Vietnam.

Cuban and Vietnamese delegates at the event. (Photo: Valerie Mai)

VUFO proposed strengthening the exchange of information between the organization, Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association, and the embassy and Cuban partners, boosting educational activities to raise young people's awareness of the relations and developing a plan for 2023, an important year for Vietnam - Cuban relations.

Agreed with VUFO's proposals to promote solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, Cuban Deputy Head of Mission to Vietnam Joy Puentes Saldise highlighted that the people of Vietnam and Cuba need to understand their responsibility in preserving the traditional friendship. VUFO and ICAP played an important role in developing the countries' ties.

On behalf of the Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam, Joy Puentes Saldise confirmed the embassy's willingness to participate in events to boost solidarity, especially in raising awareness of the young generation about Cuba-Vietnam relations.

Cuban believes and appreciates Vietnam's companionship in helping people all over the world better understand Cuba and call for international solidarity against the sanctions imposed on Cuba but the United States. In turn, Cuba is willing to act as a bridge to connect Vietnam and other Latin American countries.

On this occasion, the Cuban Deputy Head of Mission said the country would send a high-level delegation to attend the World Peace Council meeting scheduled to be held in Vietnam in September 2022. At the same time, Cuba invited VUFO and the Vietnam - Cuban Friendship Association to attend some events in Cuba in 2022.

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