Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Nguyễn Chí Vịnh presented to Cuban Ambassador to Việt Nam Lianys Torres Rivera a token representing the medical supplies that Việt Nam donates to Cuba to assist the country's fight against COVID-19 pandemic in a ceremony held in Hà Nội on Thursday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of National Defence handed over medical supplies to Cuba at a ceremony in Hà Nội on Thursday to aid its fight against the coronavirus.

The aid included quick COVID-19 test kits, medical masks, and personal protective equipment (PPE).

In remarks at the ceremony, Deputy Defence Minister Nguyễn Chí Vịnh said success in containing the COVID-19 pandemic not only requires the efforts of individual country but also international cooperation. “International cooperation in COVID-19 response is crucial,” he said.

Việt Nam has been moved by the efforts of the Politburo of the Cuban Communist Party to quickly respond to all of its requests for cooperation in defence and COVID-19 relief since the disease broke out, he noted.

The deputy minister said Việt Nam greatly appreciates Cuba's sending of hundreds of health care workers and medicine to many countries around the world to help fight the pandemic, despite facing numerous difficulties itself.

In the current circumstance, Việt Nam and Cuba providing each other with medical supplies is vivid evidence of the brotherhood and solidarity between the two countries, which is significant and meaningful to bilateral relations, Vịnh added.

It will help both sides together be victorious over COVID-19 and at the same time lay a foundation for long-term cooperation in health care, he added.

Cuban Ambassador to Việt Nam Lianys Torres Rivera thanked Việt Nam for its medical support, saying she is very happy that both countries have got a better handle on the pandemic than many developed nations in the world.

The aid clearly demonstrates the special friendship between the two countries’ people, she said. “We have never abandoned each other, even in the most difficult situation.”

Việt Nam and Cuba celebrate 60 years of bilateral diplomatic this year (December 2, 1960 – December 2, 2020). — VNS