Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Tan Cuong receives Cuban Minister of Construction Antonio Mesa: Vietnamese and Cuban officials in a group photo. (Source: VNA)

Senior Lieutenant General Cuong spoke highly of Minister Mesa’s visit which takes place at the time when the two countries are looking towards the 60th founding anniversary of the Vietnam-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 Vietnam (September 1973).

Over the past six decades, the Vietnam-Cuba relationship has been a symbol of the era, he said, stressing that Vietnam always keeps in mind the support of the Cuban Party, State, people and revolutionary armed forces with the spirit of “For Vietnam, 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 Senior Lieutenant General, the bilateral defence cooperation has been consolidated and developed, serving as a pillar and a model for collaboration in other spheres.

Vietnam 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 Vietnam.

Senior Lieutenant General Cuong suggested the two sides continue with their coordination and work harder to ensure the progress of ongoing projects, and considered boosting cooperation in the construction sector.

For his part, Minister 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.