Vietnamese army officer honoured with Cuban orders
VOV.VN - A ceremony was held on December 7 at the headquarters of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence in Hanoi in order to bestow Cuba’s orders on leaders, former leaders, and officers of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
Specifically, the Orders of Playa Girón were granted to Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang, General Luong Cuong, director of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People's Army, and General Ngo Xuan Lich, former Minister of National Defence.
Cuba also presented the Orders of Antonio Maceo to seven individuals, as well as the Friendship Orders to 23 others.
Speaking at the ceremony, General Giang thanked the Cuban Party, State, people, and the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces (FAR) for their affections and valuable rewards for officers and soldiers of the Vietnamese army.
He therefore affirmed that together with the positive development of relations between the two parties and states, ties between the VPA and the FAR have received attention by generations of the two countries’ high-ranking leaders, thereby becoming an important pillar and bright spot in bilateral ties.
As a means of continuing to consolidate defence links moving forward, the two sides will actively carry out collaboration activities based on signed documents and agreements, as well as working towards the early signing of a co-operation plan for the 2023 to 2025 period.
Attention will be paid to maintaining existing linkages and dialogue mechanisms, whilst simultaneously promoting the exchange of delegations at all levels, he added.
The Order of Playa Girón is conferred on Cubans, foreigners, heads of state, or heads of government for their outstanding roles in the struggle against imperialism, colonialism, and neo-colonialism, as well as for those who have contributed to the peace and progress of humankind. It was first established in 1961 and is named after the Playa Girón, site where the Cuban army defeated paramilitary invasion groups during the Bay of Pigs Invasion in 1961.
The Order of Antonio Maceo is presented to units and individuals of the FAR for their special achievements in military campaigns, outstanding combat qualities, or for having merits in training and fostering commanders and contributing to the national safeguarding and development cause. It is also granted to officers and military units of foreign countries for the same purpose.
Meanwhile, the Order of Friendship is awarded to Cuban citizens and foreigners in recognition of their outstanding participation in the cause of building a just society whilst tightening solidarity, friendship, co-operation, and mutual assistance between countries throughout the world.