President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández (right) receives new Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Lê Quang Long. — VNA/VNS Photo Mai Phương

HAVANA — The close-knit relationship between Cuba and Việt Nam, founded by President Hồ Chí Minh and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and nurtured by the two countries’ generations of leaders and people, is a symbol of the era and of solidarity, said President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández.

During a reception in Havana on March 26 for the new Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Lê Quang Long, Hernández committed all possible support for the diplomat to fulfill tasks assigned by the Vietnamese Party and State.

He recounted significant milestones in the exceptionally rare relationship between the two countries, notably the Cuba visit by National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ in April 2023 that coincided with the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam of Cuba, now the Cuba-Việt Nam Friendship Association; the 50th anniversary of leader Fidel Castro's first visit to Vietnam and the southern liberated zone, and the 63rd anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations (December 2).

According to him, Huệ was the first foreign leader to visit Cuba after the country’s general election, and to address the Cuban legislature following the election of important State positions in line with the Constitution. This unprecedented event demonstrates the importance that the Cuban NA attaches to the Việt Nam-Cuba relationship, he said.

Long, for his part, affirmed that Việt Nam will never forget the invaluable support provided by the fraternal Cuban people during difficult times.

He highlighted Việt Nam's unwavering support for Cuba in its fight against the US blockade, its pursuit of socio-economic development and efforts to strengthen bilateral cooperation across various sectors.

Earlier, he submitted a copy of his credentials to Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Anayansi Rodríguez Camejo. — VNS