Deputy Minister of National Defence Nguyễn Tân Cương (right) had talks with Cuban Minister of Construction Antonio Rena Mesa in Hà Nội on Tuesday. — Photo from the Việt Nam People's Army newspaper

HÀ NỘI — Senior Lieutenant General Nguyễn Tân Cương, Chief of the General Staff of the Việt Nam People’s Army, who is also Deputy Minister of National Defence, received Cuban Minister of Construction Antonio Rena Mesa in Hà Nội on Tuesday.

Cương spoke highly of Mesa’s visit which takes place at the time when the two countries are looking towards the 60th founding anniversary of the Việt Nam-Cuba solidarity committee (September 25, 1963-2023) and 50 years since the visit by President Fidel Castro to the liberated zone in the South of Việt Nam (September 1973).

Over the past six decades, the Việt Nam-Cuba relationship had been a symbol of the era, he said, stressing that Việt Nam always kept in mind the support of the Cuban Party, State, people and revolutionary armed forces with the spirit of “For Việt Nam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood,” during its past struggle for national liberation, as well as the present cause of national construction.

According to the officer, the bilateral defence cooperation has been consolidated and developed, serving as a pillar and a model for collaboration in other spheres.

Việt Nam highly valued Cuba’s reputation, experience and strength in construction, he continued, adding that the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence appreciated Cuban experts’ efforts and sense of responsibility for construction projects in Việt Nam.

Cương suggested the two sides continue with their coordination and work harder to ensure the progress of ongoing projects, and consider boosting cooperation in the construction sector.

For his part, Mesa thanked the Ministry of National Defence for facilitating Cuba’s participation in the projects to which the ministry works as the main investor, and expressed his willingness to engage in other projects of the ministry in the time ahead. — VNS