Ambassadors and international friends attended the meeting. Photo: Thu Ha

This is the statement of Assoc. Prof. Dr Nguyen Viet Thao, head of the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association (Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations) at the meeting on the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (December 19, 1989 - December 19, 2022).

The meeting was organized by the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association in collaboration with the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela in Vietnam on December 19 in Hanoi.

According to Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao, on the basis of the traditional friendship, Vietnam and Venezuela have increased mutual support, consolidated solidarity. That contributes to building a peaceful and stable country, ensuring national sovereignty and the development path chosen by the people, with many difficulties and challenges.

"The Vietnamese people never forget the noble gesture of the Venezuelan soldiers of the past who did not hesitate to sacrifice to reclaim the freedom of Hero Nguyen Van Troi. They never forgot the great love that leader Hugo Chavez had for Vietnam," he said.

"These are valuable legacies for the people of our two countries to continue supporting each other on the path of defending national independence and fighting for a better world," said head of the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association.

With a firm belief in the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Viet Thao said that the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association will always be a loyal force with the Venezuelan people. They will always contribute to the construction of the country, as taught by leader Ho Chi Minh and leader Hugo Chavez.

Tatiana Pugh Moreno, Venezuelan ambassador to Vietnam spoke at the meeting. Photo: Thu Ha

Speaking at the meeting, Tatiana Pugh Moreno, Venezuelan ambassador to Vietnam said that 33 years ago, the friendship between Venezuela and Vietnam was officially formed through the establishment of diplomatic relations.

She reviewed the important milestones in the relations between the two countries and the great achievements in the bilateral cooperation between the two countries.

In 1964, Venezuelan guerillas abducted US lieutenant colonel Michael Smolen in exchange to reclaim freedom for Vietnamese revolutionary Nguyen Van Troi. Although the goal was unsuccessful, this action is remembered for supporting the revolutionary cause of Vietnam.

On July 31, 2006, President Hugo Chavez presented a replica of Simon Bolivar's sword to General Vo Nguyen Giap in Hanoi to pay tribute to his heroic life.

During 33 years, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam have signed more than 60 agreements, held 9 political consultation sessions.

In 2022, after overcoming the Covid-19 pandemic, the exchange of delegations was resumed with visits between people of the two countries. In 2022, bilateral trade between the two countries has increased by 700% compared to last year and this number is increasing.

People visited the photo exhibition of General Vo Nguyen Giap. Photo: Thu Ha

Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno thanked the people and government of Vietnam for all the love and support. She also thanked the Viet Nam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association for their strong companionship, and solidarity.

Within the framework of the meeting, the delegates visited a photo exhibition of General Vo Nguyen Giap. The exhibition presents 33 photos, most of which are of Colonel, photographer Tran Hong.

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