Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Committee for Solidarity with the Palestinian People (VCSPP), in coordination with the Palestinian Embassy in Vietnam and the Vietnam-Palestine Friendship Asso✃ciation in Hanoi held a meeting on November 29 to mark the 35th founding anniversary ofdiplomatic relations between Vietnam and Palestine (1988 -2023)and the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People.

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the VCSPP Ambassador Nguyen Quang Khaisaid that Vietnam was one of the first countries in the world that recognised theState of Palestine and lifted relations between the two countries to the ambassadorlevel. Over the past 35 years, the traditional friendship andcooperation between Vietnam and Palestine have been continuously strengthenedand developed. Especially, President Yasser Arafat - the greatest leaderof the Palestinian people visited Vietnam 10 times. Ambassador Khai said that the twocountries are celebrating the 35th anniversary of establishing diplomaticrelations and the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian peoplein the context that the conflict in the Gaza Strip has entered its 60th day. He added that Vietnam voted in favor of the United Nations General Assembly resolution calling for protection of Palestinian civilians and compliance with legal and humanitarianobligations in the conflict. Khai read a message from Vietnamese President Vo VanThuong to the UN Secretary General, the Chairman of the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People and the President of Palestine, extending deep condolences to the State and people of Palestine and thefamilies of the victims of the conflict. He also expressed deep concern about the tension, and strongly condemned attacks targeting civilians and civilian infrastructure. He called for immediate ceasefire, maximum restraint, respect for international humanitarian law and the enforcement of all necessary measures to ensure human lives. Thuong also affirmed Vietnam's solidarity and steadfast stance of supportingthe just cause of the Palestinian people in the struggle for their basicnational rights. Meanwhile, a representative of the United Nations inVietnam, read a solidarity message of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for theirconsistent support for the Palestinian people’s struggle. He affirmed that Palestine will continue to promote cooperation with Vietnam in all fields./.