Leaders of the Vietnamese Party, State, Government and National Assembly on July 25 extended congratulations to Cuban leaders on the 57 th anniversary of the military attack on the Moncada barracks (July 26).

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, State President Nguyen Minh Triet and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent congratulatory messages to Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee (CPCCC), and Raul Castro Ruz, Second Secretary of the CPCCC and President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers.

NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong cabled a message of congratulations to his Cuban counterpart Ricardo Alarcon de Quesada.

On this occasion, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem also sent a congratulatory message to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.

A get-together was held in the Red River Delta province of Vinh Phuc on July 24 -25 to mark the event.

While addressing the function, the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association’s Vice President Nguyen Duy Cuong recalled historical and struggle stages of Cuba , especially the military attack on the Moncada barracks, which was led by Fidel Castro on July 26, 1953.
The attack was the start of the Cuban people’s armed revolution against the Fulgencio Batista dictatorship which ended in victory on January 1, 1959, ushering in a new era of independence, freedom and socialism for the island country.

Paulo Fernandez Alberto, Charge d’affaires at the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam , said after the revolution came to victory, Cuba has focused resources on national construction and development following the path of socialism. Over the past years, the Cuban people have enjoyed benefits in health care and education as the government has provided subsidy for these fields.

Cuba currently holds huge potential for development in agriculture, tourism, pharmaceutical technology and medicine production, the official said.

Besides its recorded achievements, Cuba is still facing various challenges as a large area of its land has been fallowed, threatening its food security, Paulo said.

The charge d’affaires thanked Vinh Phuc province in particular and Vietnam in general for their warm sentiments towards Cuba . He also expressed his hope that the friendship and solidarity between the two nations would further develop in the future.

Secretary of the provincial Vinh Phuc Party Committee Pham Van Vong offered sympathy for Cuba on its temporary economic difficulties and affirmed that Vietnam would always stand side by side with the fraternal Cuban people and give them the strongest sentiments and support./.