The Palestinian Embassy in Vietnam in conjunction with the Vietnamese Committee for Solidarity with the Palestinian People (VCSPP) and the Vietnam-Palestine Friendship Association’s Hanoi chapter held a ceremony on November 29 to mark the 30^th anniversary of the Vietnam-Palestine diplomatic ties (November 19, 1988 - 2018).

The event also responded to International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (November 29).

President of the Vietnamese Committee for Solidarity with the Palestinian People, Ho Anh Dung delivers his speech. (Photo: VNF)

In his remarks, VCSPP President Ho Anh Dung highlighted the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Palestine, saying the Palestine Liberation Organisation opened its representative office in Hanoi in 1976.

Right after the State of Palestine was proclaimed on November 19, 1988, Vietnam was one of the first countries in the world to recognise its status and elevated the bilateral relationship to the ambassador level, he added.

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Phuong Nga; Vice President in-charge of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Don Tuan Phong and Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama look at photos featuring the friendship and long-standing cooperation between Vietnam and Palestine. (Photo: VUFO)

Dung noted that over the past 30 years, the friendship and long-standing cooperation between Vietnam and Palestine have continuously been consolidated and enhanced, as reflected through visits by leaders of ministries and agencies of the two countries.

Over the past years, the VCSPP has joined hands with the Vietnam-Palestine Friendship Association’s Hanoi chapter and the Palestinian Embassy to organise various activities such as film screenings, photo exhibitions, and culture, art and information exchanges, helping intensify mutual understanding, solidarity and friendship between the two countries, he said.

Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: VNF)

Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama expressed his delight at the enhanced bilateral relationship, which, he said, is the pride and valuable asset shared by the two countries.

He thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for their support for Palestine over the past time.

At the ceremony, United Nations Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Kamal Malhotra read the message of U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres on the occasion of International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People./.

VNF/VNA