President Trần Đại Quang receives outgoing Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng

HÀ NỘI – President Trần Đại Quang congratulated outgoing Cuban Ambassador Herminio Lopez Diaz on the latter’s successful term in Việt Nam while receiving the Cuban diplomat in Hà Nội yesterday. 

He said during his four-year tenure in Việt Nam, Ambassador Diaz became a trustworthy bridge linking the two countries’ Parties and State leaders and also became a close friend and effective partner of ministries, sectors, socio-political organisations and localities in Việt Nam. 
Việt Nam-Cuba relations are special and exemplary ties fostered by late Presidents Hồ Chí Minh and Fidel Castro and nurtured by generations of leaders and people in the two countries. The Vietnamese Party, State and people will always remember Fidel Castro’s contributions to bilateral relations, President Quang said. 
“Cuba always has a place in the heart of each Vietnamese citizen,” he stressed. 
He expressed his delight at the thriving solidarity, comprehensive co-operation and mutual trust between the Vietnamese and Cuban Parties, States and people, congratulating the Latin American country on its socio-economic and diplomatic achievements over past years, particularly in the updates to its economic model. 
The President affirmed the Vietnamese Party, State and people’s consistent support to Cuba in all spheres, adding that they are ready to share experience in the three decades of reforms with Cuba. 
On this occasion, he also asked the ambassador to convey an invitation to visit Việt Nam to Cuban President Raul Castro. 
At the meeting, Ambassador Diaz delivered the Cuban Party, State and people’s congratulations on the 72nd National Day of Việt Nam (September 2), stressing that Cuba will exert every effort to nurture the exemplary relationship between the two countries. 
Briefing his host about the outcomes of his term in Việt Nam, the diplomat appreciated President Quang’s contributions to bilateral ties. 
Diaz pledged that on whichever positions he will hold, he will keep contributing to the solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the Cuban and Vietnamese Parties, States and people. The Cuban embassy will also work closely with relevant agencies of Việt Nam to reinforce their countries’ relations. — VNS