The traditional friendship and cooperation shown between the parties, governments and peoples of Vietnam and Cuba will be strengthened and developed further, says a Vietnamese diplomat.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh emphasised the historical significance of establishing bilateral diplomatic ties 50 years ago (December 2) at a talk on the fraternal solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between both countries in Hanoi November 29.

The Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam , Fredesman Turro Gonzalez, stressed that after years of difficulties, the relationship that Cuba and Vietnam has lasted for five decades, saying that both countries value the bilateral friendly and fraternal ties based on mutual trust and assistance as well as a consensus on politics.

Themed “Vietnam-Cuba traditional friendship over the past 50 years,” and “Vietnam-Cuba relations in the new era”, the participants discussed and recalled the help the Cuban people provided to Vietnam during its struggle for national liberation and socialism.

The participants highlighted the achievements made in bilateral relations and cooperation in various areas of politics, trade, science-technology and culture.

The relationship has set an example in international ties and become a national treasure, which needs to be conserved over the generations, as an immortal symbol of true internationalism and a treasure for the younger generations of Jose Marti and Ho Chi Minh, they said./.