Diaz-Canel Reiterates Condolences to Vietnam For President's Death

Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel reiterated his condolences to Vietnam over the recent death of his Vietnamese counterpart, Tran Dai Quang.

Accompanied by Anayansi Rodriguez, permanent representative of Cuba before the United Nations headquarters here, Diaz-Canel came to Hanoi's mission, where he highlighted the legacy of the deceased.

In a book, the president wrote: 'The Cuban people and Government will always remember with gratitude Comrade Quang for his permanent contribution to the strengthening of historical relations between our countries.'

'Our deepest condolences to the people, government and relatives of Comrade Quang,' he added.

Three days ago, the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, Raul Castro, and Diaz-Canel sent messages to Vietnam for the fatal event.

Raul Castro expressed in a letter to Nguyen Phu Trong, secretary general of the Communist Party of Vietnam, his 'deep sorrow' for the death of 'a dear friend of Cuba and a fervent promoter of the historic relations of friendship and cooperation that unite us'.

For his part, Diaz-Canel told Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc that 'in these moments of pain for the Vietnamese people, I remember Quang's personal contribution to fostering the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our countries.'

Both asked to extend their 'most heartfelt condolences' to the Vietnamese government and people, and also to the relatives and the president's close friends.

The speaker of the Cuban Parliament, Esteban Lazo, sent a message of sorrow to Hanoi and, before starting a work session, he and his colleagues in Parliament held a minute of silence in memory of Quang.