Hanoi (VNA) – Chairwoman of the VietnameseNational Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has been awarded the Solidarity Order ofthe Cuban State Council in recognition of her contributions to the fraternalfriendship and special solidarity between the two countries.

The honour was presented to the Vietnamese top legislator byFernando Gonzalez Llort, President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship withPeoples (ICAP), in Hanoi on April 11.

Expressing her pride and honour to receive the award, NAChairwoman Ngan pledged to do her utmost to consolidate and further develop thebilateral relationship.

Fernando Gonzalez Llort said the award recognises Ngan’scontributions to the bilateral ties in her capacity as President of theVietnam-Cuba Friendship Association (VCFA), and in different positions.

As President of the VCFA, Ngan had, together with theCuba-Vietnam Friendship Association, carried out a range of exchangeactivities, he said.

He recalled the time when NA Chairwoman Ngan led aVietnamese delegation to pay tribute to Cuban Leader Fidel Castro in 2016.

Highlighting the tightened friendship between Vietnam andCuba in the combat against poverty and under-development, Fernando GonzalezLlort promised that he, in his capacity of the ICAP President, will make moreefforts to foster solidarity between the Parties, Governments and people of thetwo countries.

The same day, the Vietnamese top legislator hosted reception for FernandoGonzalez Llort and members of the delegation, during which they expressed theirdelights over the successful trip of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trongto Cuba in March.

They said that the visit served as an impetus for the traditional friendshipbetween the two countries and stressed that Vietnam-Cuba solidarity andcomprehensive cooperation has been strengthened over the past six decades. Thisis a valuable asset that both Parties, States and peoples need to treasure andeducate younger generations.

Lauding Cuba on its socio-economic achievements, NA Chairwoman Ngan hoped thatthe country will successfully carry out the Update of Economic Model.

She stressed that the bilateral relations have been developed in variouschannels, including Party, State and people-to-people diplomacy, adding thatthe Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association is one of the organisations that havenumerous practical activities to promote friendship between the two countries.

Ngan said she believed that Fernando Gonzalez Llort will dohis utmost to develop the relations between Cuba and other foreign countries,including Vietnam.-VNA