Vietnam applauds Cuban President Raul Castro and his US counterpart Barack Obama for their statements on restoring the two countries’ diplomatic ties after 53 years of interruption, Deputy Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said at the ministry’s regular press briefing on December 18.

Deputy Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang.

“Vietnam believes that the historic announcements are the first step towards the full normalisation of the bilateral diplomatic relation to bring legitimate interests for both Cuban and US people and contribute importantly to maintaining peace and stability and intensifying cooperation in America and the world,” Hang said.

Regarding Vietnam’s response to the hostage siege in Sydney, Australia, the diplomat said “Vietnam condemns the violent acts that caused heartbreaking losses to the Australian Government and people, especially the families of the innocent victims in Sydney”.

She also extended the deepest condolences to the Australian Government and people as well as the victims’ families over the losses.

On the concurrent disappearance of 100 Vietnamese brides in China, the deputy spokesperson informed that the foreign ministry directed the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing to promptly work with China’s relevant offices to clarify and address the matter properly.

Regarding the recent murder of a Vietnamese woman by her husband in the Republic of Korea (RoK), Hang said that the foreign ministry instructed the Vietnamese Embassy there to coordinate with local agencies to make the case clear.

The ministry also asked the RoK side to strictly punish the inhumane husband and take measures to prevent similar incidents, she added.

VNA/VNN