VN and Cuba have reaffirmed their longstanding special friendship while pledging to expand cooperation in ethnic and religious affairs, as senior officials from both countries met in Hanoi to discuss policy exchanges and stronger collaboration.
On the afternoon of May 26, Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Dinh Khang received Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Rogelio Polanco Fuentes for talks focused on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the fields of ethnicity and religion.
Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs Nguyen Dinh Khang meets Cuban Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes in Hanoi. Photo: Le Anh Dung
A bridge for stronger cooperation
During the meeting, Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes congratulated Minister Khang on his appointment as a member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Ethnic and Religious Affairs.
The ambassador expressed confidence that, in his new role, Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang would continue contributing to the development of the special solidarity and friendship between the Communist Parties, states and peoples of Vietnam and Cuba.
Rogelio Polanco Fuentes emphasized that the loyal and enduring relationship between the two countries was built by President Ho Chi Minh, revolutionary leader Fidel Castro and generations of leaders from both nations.
He said the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam would continue serving as a bridge to promote cooperation between Vietnam’s Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs and relevant Cuban agencies.
According to the ambassador, Cuba currently has specialized government and Communist Party bodies overseeing religious affairs, while the country’s 2019 Constitution clearly defines issues related to religion and belief.
He also expressed hope that both countries could strengthen exchanges of experience in formulating and implementing ethnic and religious policies.
Preserving the special Vietnam-Cuba solidarity
Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang reaffirms the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba. Photo: Le Anh Dung
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang welcomed Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes to the ministry and praised his contributions to strengthening the traditional friendship between the two Parties, states and peoples in recent years.
The minister highlighted the success of Party General Secretary and President To Lam’s recent visit to Cuba, as well as other high-level exchanges between the two countries, noting that the Cuban Embassy in Vietnam had played an important role in those efforts.
Reaffirming that the special Vietnam-Cuba friendship remains “steadfast and unchanged,” Nguyen Dinh Khang recalled Cuba’s valuable support for Vietnam during the resistance war against the United States.
He said Vietnamese people continue to remember Fidel Castro’s famous declaration: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its own blood,” as well as Castro’s historic visit to the liberated zone of Quang Tri on Sept. 16, 1973 - the first and only foreign leader to make such a visit during the war.
The minister described those moments as enduring symbols of sincere and faithful international solidarity between the two nations.
Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes. Photo by Le Anh Dung
Expanding exchanges on ethnic and religious affairs
Providing an overview of the ministry’s responsibilities, Khang said the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs currently oversees state management in both ethnic and religious matters.
Vietnam is home to 54 ethnic groups, including 53 officially recognized ethnic minority communities. The minister said strengthening national unity remains a key mission of the Party, the state and the entire political system.
Accordingly, the ministry advises the Party and government on policies aimed at ensuring equality among ethnic groups, narrowing development gaps between mountainous and lowland areas, and improving living standards for ethnic minority communities.
Minister Nguyen Dinh Khang, Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes and delegates pose for a commemorative photo. Photo: Le Anh Dung
Regarding religion, the minister noted that Vietnam officially recognizes 16 religions with tens of millions of followers nationwide.
He stressed that Vietnam consistently guarantees freedom of belief and religion, while ensuring equality between religious and non-religious citizens, thereby contributing to national unity and interfaith harmony.
Nguyen Dinh Khang said Vietnam stands ready to exchange experiences with Cuba based on the ministry’s functions and responsibilities, adding that both sides would study ways to deepen cooperation in ethnic and religious affairs in the future.
Vietnamnet.vn
Podcast
.svg){kind=icon}
