From September 18-24, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc pays an official friendship visit to Cuba and attends the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly High-Level General Discussion. (Photo: congthuong.vn)

This will be Mr. Phuc’s first visit to Cuba and also the first time he attends a high-level general debate of the UN General Assembly as President. 

Vietnam-Cuba special traditional friendship 

The visit at the invitation of First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel, anticipates the 61st anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations on December 2 this year. 

Despite domestic and global changes in the past six decades, the special traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cuba has been unceasingly cultivated, consolidated and developed. Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh described the special friendship, solidarity, and mutual trust between Vietnam and Cuba as rare in international relations. The two countries have built close friendship and extensive cooperation between the two Parties, Governments, National Assemblies and between politico-social organizations.

During their August 23 phone call, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President Miguel Díaz-Canel once again affirmed the unshakable solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba, who are ready to support each other in any circumstances.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang said, “In the current context, the selfless help for one another is even more meaningful. As Vietnam is struggling with the fourth wave of Covid-19, Cuba has provided us with vaccines. Vietnam also sent food aid to Cuban people who are undergoing a difficult time. The spirit of "A friend in need is a friend indeed" has been clearly reflected in the Vietnam-Cuba traditional fraternity.”

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Responsible contribution to UN operations 

After the Cuba visit, President Phuc will attend the high-level general debate of the UN General Assembly just in the right time of the 44th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to the UN on September 20. Over the past 44 years, Vietnam has joined the world body in resolving regional and global peace and security issues, and promoting human rights. UN Resident Coordinator Kamal Malhotra said Vietnam has an increasingly important role at the UN as a result of its active and responsible contribution to the international community and the UN. 

In a phone conversation with President Phuc on June 19, UN Secretary-General António Guterres especially acknowledged Vietnam's active and responsible contributions to the UN and international affairs, calling Vietnam an important factor contributing to peace and stability in the region.

Deputy Minister Dang Hoang Giang said, “The President's participation in the high-level discussion session of the United Nations General Assembly is an opportunity for Vietnam to convey the message of an independent, self-reliant, aspirational, and visionary Vietnam, which has adopted a foreign policy of openness, multilateralization and diversification of international relations. Vietnam will continue to contribute responsibly to the international community for peace and development.”