Havana (VNA) – Senior defence officers of Cuba have praised Vietnam’s national security policy as a key factor in safeguarding the nation and driving development amid a complex global landscape.
Speaking at a seminar held at the National Defence College of Cuba, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long pointed out both traditional and non-traditional security challenges faced by Vietnam and many other countries, such as armed conflicts, cyber warfare, water security, and population ageing.
The ambassador stressed that addressing these challenges requires upholding and strengthening the Party’s comprehensive leadership, accurately identifying national interests in the context of a volatile international environment, and recognising defence, security, and foreign affairs as crucial and regular tasks to safeguard national security as in line with the strategy of protecting the Fatherland early and from afar.
He also underscored the importance of enhancing international cooperation to tackle non-traditional security issues and maintain a peaceful and stable environment for national development.
Long reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralisation and diversification of external relations, and being a friend, a reliable partner, and a proactive and responsible member of the international community.
He also reiterated Vietnam’s steadfast “four no’s” defence policy as stated in the country’s Defence White Paper: no military alliances, no siding with one country against another, no foreign military bases or use of the Vietnamese territory to oppose other countries, and no use of force or threat to use force in international relations.
Colonel Rigoberto Quintana Velazquez, Director of the National Defence College, said Vietnam’s policies and strategies for ensuring national security offer practical and valuable lessons for Cuba in the current context.
He affirmed the similarities of Cuba and Vietnam as socialist nations under the leadership of their Communist Parties. He expressed his hope to further reinforce defence cooperation, thereby contributing to the consolidation and development of the special solidarity, friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between the two brotherly countries./.
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