Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha (R) presents the token of the relief package to Cuban Anbassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Rivera (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The Parties, States and armies ofVietnam and Cuba have been closely cooperating and supporting each other in effectivelycontaining the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic amid its complicateddevelopments and severe impact on all aspects of society.
On March 27, the Vietnamese Ministry of Defense’s leaders met the CubanAmbassador and Military Attaché to Vietnam to suggest defense cooperationbetween the two sides in combating the disease, and in researching and producing quick test kits, vaccines and anti-viraldrugs.
On March 31, Vietnamese Minister of Defense General Ngo XuanLich and Deputy Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh sent their letters to the Minister of Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces and the Chief of the General Staff ofthe Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, respectively, toofficially propose the above cooperation contents.
On April 1, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Lianys Torres Riveraannounced that the Cuban Party, State and Army agreed with all the suggestions by Vietnam.
Accordingly, Cuba is ready to send medical experts to share its experience in COVID-19treatment, provide Vietnam with medicines to treat COVID-19 patients inVietnam, and work together to research and produce medicines, vaccines and fasttest kits.
On April 2 and April 7, the two sides successfully organised onlineconferences with the participation of their experts who have rich experience injoining international assistance in global pandemics.
Participants discussed measures to prevent and control thepandemic, while sharing experiences on coordination among relevant ministries, sectorsand agencies in the work.
They also touched upon ability to support each other inpharmaceuticals, medical equipment, and cooperation in research and productionof vaccines, as well as other fields in the future.
The third conference of this kind is scheduled to take place in late April.
Regarding the sending of Cuban medicines and experts to Vietnam,as well as the providing the Cuban side with medical supplies that it needs, thetwo sides agreed to implement immediately after commercial flights to the twocountries resume operation.
The recent cooperation between the two sides in preventing COVID-19is vivid evidence to the long-lasting friendship and solidarity of the twonations.
The prompt support for Vietnam in the endeavour and the taking this as one of Cuba's top priorities haveshown the Cuban side’s special sentiment to and political trust in Vietnam./.
VNA
