Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary and State President To Lam on June 25 received Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama, who came to pay a farewell courtesy call at the end of his tenure.
The top leader of Vietnam congratulated Salama on his successful term as Palestinian Ambassador and head of the diplomatic corps in Vietnam. He highly valued the close bond, deep understanding, and special sentiments that the ambassador has nurtured for Vietnam over the past 40 years, describing them as a vivid testament to the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Palestine.
Recalling the historic visits by President Yasser Arafat to Vietnam, General Secretary and President Lam affirmed that the two countries and their peoples share a deep connection rooted in their common aspirations for independence, freedom, self-reliance, and development.
On this occasion, he expressed his sincere gratitude to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for presenting noble orders and medals to late General Vo Nguyen Giap, former Vice State President Nguyen Thi Binh, and several other Vietnamese individuals.
The leader reaffirmed the Vietnamese Party, State, and people’s consistent stance of firmly supporting the just struggle of the Palestinian people, expressing deep sympathy for the hardships and losses they have endured during nearly three years of conflict in the Gaza Strip.
He emphasised that within its capacity, Vietnam stands ready to share with and support the State and people of Palestine, and advocates all efforts to seek a long-term and lasting solution to the Middle East peace process based on the two-state solution.
For his part, Salama conveyed the greetings and gratitude from President Mahmoud Abbas and senior Palestinian leaders to General Secretary and President Lam, as well as to other leaders and the people of Vietnam, for their steadfast support for the Palestinian people’s just struggle.
The ambassador appreciated Vietnam’s participation in the Gaza Board of Peace, stating that the country’s just and fair stance will contribute positively to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the search for a lasting and long-term solution to the Middle East peace process.
Noting his deep impressions of an unyielding Vietnam during its struggle for national independence, Salama emotionally shared his pride in being attached to Vietnam for over 40 years, since he first arrived to study and later returned as the Ambassador of Palestine.
The diplomat showed his admiration for Vietnam’s tremendous achievements in national construction and development, as well as the four national values of "solidarity, unity, reconciliation, and gratitude". He affirmed that he will always carry with him the "Story of Vietnam" – a source of inspiration for the country and people of Palestine in their own struggle for national independence and development.
Salama extended his deep gratitude to General Secretary and President Lam, generations of Vietnamese leaders, and the people of Vietnam for helping him fulfil his duties. He pledged that in any future position, he will continue to follow and contribute to Vietnam’s multifaceted cooperation with Palestine, as well as other Arab nations./.
