Orders of Playa Girón

HÀ NỘI — A ceremony was held at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence in Hà Nội on Wednesday to present Cuba’s orders to leaders, former leaders and officers of the Việt Nam People’s Army (VPA).

Specifically, on behalf of Cuba, Divisional General Víctor Rojo Ramos, head of the Political Directorate of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) granted the Orders of Playa Girón to General Phan Văn Giang, Minister of National Defence; General Lương Cường, Director of the General Department of Politics under the Việt Nam People's Army; and General Ngô Xuân Lịch, former Minister of National Defence.

Cuba also presented the Orders of Antonio Maceo to seven individuals, and the Friendship Orders to 23 others.

Speaking at the ceremony, General Giang thanked the Cuban Party, State, people and the Cuban FAR for their affections and valuable rewards for officers and soldiers of the Vietnamese army.

He affirmed that together with the good development of the relations between the two parties and the two states, the relationship between the VPA and the FAR has always received attention by generations of the two countries’ high-ranking leaders, thus becoming an important pillar and bright spot in the bilateral ties.

To continue consolidating the defence cooperation in the coming time, the two sides will actively carry out collaboration activities based on signed documents and agreements, and work towards the early signing of a cooperation plan for 2023-2025.

Attention will be paid to maintaining existing cooperation and dialogue mechanisms, promoting the exchange of delegations at all levels, he added.

The Order of Playa Girón is conferred on Cubans, foreigners, heads of state or heads of government for their outstanding roles in the struggle against imperialism, colonialism and neo-colonialism, and who have contributed to the peace and progress of humankind. It was established in 1961 and is named after the Playa Girón site where the Cuban army defeated the paramilitary invasion groups at the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961.

The Order of Antonio Maceo is presented to units and individuals of the FAR for their special achievements in military campaigns, outstanding combat qualities; or having merits in training and fostering commanders, contributing to the national safeguarding and development cause. It is also granted to officers and military units of foreign countries for the same purpose.

Meanwhile, the Order of Friendship is awarded to Cuban citizens and foreigners in recognition of their outstanding participation in the cause of building a just society and tightening solidarity, friendship, cooperation, mutual assistance between countries in the world. — VNS