Hanoi (VNA) – Chairman of the General Political Department of the VietnamPeople's Army General Luong Cuong on June 22 met with Minister of theRevolutionary Armed Forces of Cuba Corps General Álvaro López Miera, who ispaying an official visit to Vietnam.

At themeeting, Cuong said Vietnam and Cuba are two countries on the two hemispheres,but their revolutionary ideals and aspirations for independence and freedomhave made the two peoples become extremely close friends. 

In thecurrent context, the two countries need to further strengthen solidarity,support, and mutual assistance, especially in political and ideologicaleducation, fostering revolutionary ideals, patriotism, and socialism loving forofficers and soldiers; improve the leadership capacity and combat strength ofParty organisations in the army.

Cuongassessed that over the past time, cooperation in the Party and political workin the army has been promoted by the two sides, focusing on areas such astraining, security protection, communications, and experience sharing.

Inparticular, the two sides coordinated to complete the book "The 60-yearhistory of defence relations between Vietnam and Cuba", which helps theyoung generations learn more about the special friendship between the twocountries and the two armies.

Forhis part, López Miera acknowledged Vietnam's new development steps in recentyears, and expressed his hope that in the coming time, the two armies willcontinue to promote the traditional special friendship to effectively implementthe cooperation plan for the period of 2023-2025, thereby contributing to thedevelopment of the two countries and the maintenance of peace, security, andprosperity in the world.

Heemphasised that the Cuban army and people always keep the spirit of "ForVietnam, Cuba is ready to donate its blood" as leader Fidel Castro hadaffirmed. Cuba is determined to constantly tighten the special friendship withVietnam, the minister stressed.

Earlier,on June 22 morning, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief ofGeneral Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and Deputy Minister of Defence, metwith Corps General Álvaro López Miera.

TheVietnamese officer said defence ties between the two nations have beenconstantly strengthened and developed, becoming a pillar and model to fosterother cooperation areas.

LópezMiera said expressed his wish to further promote bilateral defence cooperationin the fields where the two sides have capacity and demand./.