Vietnam-Cuba relations: Forged Through Challenges to be Exemplary, Pure, Faithful

At the event, delegates consensed that Vietnam-Cuba relations had become an exemplary, pure, and faithful relationship. Defense cooperation is the pillar, contributing to deepening the special traditional bilateral friendship.

The event had the presence of Major General Pham Truong Son, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army, Colonel Roman O.Jimenez Ortega, Cuban military, naval and air force attaché in Vietnam, Ambassador of Cuba to Vietnam Orlando Nicolas Hernandez Guillen, representatives of the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Association, the Vietnam's Association of the Truong Son - Ho Chi Minh Trail.

In his remarks, Colonel Roman O. Jimenez Ortega said 2023 is a special year for Vietnam-Cuba relations. Many delegation exchanges were held, affirming the strategic significance of the relations, and the will to promote cooperation in all fields of mutual interest, for the benefit of the two peoples.

Guests took photos next to the Granma ship model. (Photo: Thanh Luan)

According to Colonel Roman O. Jimenez Ortega, the relationship between the two countries' armed forces is increasingly strengthened.

"The two countries will work together to strengthen preparation and response capabilities in all fields. Vietnam and Cuba are small countries that have a long tradition of fighting against powerful armies. Our biggest military forces are our people. The army, with its role as a part of the Cuban people, always supports the brotherhood and solidarity between peoples, notably the people of Vietnam and Cuba," said Colonel Roman O. Jimenez Ortega.

Major General Pham Truong Son said that Vietnam - Cuba relations have been forged through all the challenges of the times to become an exemplary, pure, and faithful relationship. Along with the good development in other fields, the relationship between the Vietnam People's Army and the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces is constantly being consolidated and developed. The two armies' relations have become a pillar in the overall bilateral relations, contributing to improving defense potential and firmly protecting the political regime and socialism in each country.

Since the Minister of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces officially visited Vietnam in June 2023 and the Chief of General Staff of the Cuban Armed Forces visited Vietnam in October 2023, the two sides have coordinated to implement agreed cooperation contents, notably the Cooperation Plan for 2023-2025. They have achieved many outstanding results in all fields. Delegation exchange, training, defense industry, military technology, and political education in the armies are promoted. The two countries focus on educating the young generations about the special traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.

"For the first time, the two countries successfully organized an exchange and experience sharing between young officers. The event, held in Vietnam from November 23 to December 3, 2023, is an important activity. It took place in a year of many commemorative activities, helping the young generation continue to appreciate, preserve, and promote the legacies that previous generations have left in the two countries' relationship," said Major General Pham Truong Son.

Son stated that the Party, State, people and People's Army of Vietnam will continue to support, and stand side by side with the people and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba in the struggle for peace, national independence, and socialism.

At the ceremony, delegates watched the documentary "Two Hearts Beat Together," a cooperation between the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam and the Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba.

The film includes three periods: History, War&Embargo, and Present. Valuable scenes about present Cuba are shown in the film, together with scenes of Cuban students singing songs about Vietnam, listening to teachers talk about Vietnam, or drawing pictures of the Vietnam and Cuba flags on their brand new and modern made-in-Vietnam computer system, a gift from General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong.

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