73rd session of the UN General Assembly, which opened on September 18 (File photo)New York (VNA) – The US embargo against Cuba isa backward step which intensifies tension between the two countries, said thehead of Vietnam’s mission at the United Nations.
Speaking at the UN General Assembly debate on the Cuban-sponsored draftresolution A/73/L.3 on the necessity of ending the economic, commercial andfinancial embargo imposed by the US against Cuba, Ambassador Dang Dinh Quynoted that positive signals in US-Cuba relations have dimmed since theadministration of President Donald Trump re-installed and intensified theembargo and sanctions against the Caribbean nation in April 2017.
The Vietnamese representative stressed that only dialogueand constructive engagement can promote trust and create positive changes,while embargo and other forms of imposition just further complicate thesituation.
He reiterated Vietnam’s consistent stance against theimposition of unilateral measures of embargo and pressurization by any country,while supporting the Cuban-sponsored resolution. Vietnam joins theinternational community in calling on the US to immediately end the embargo,thus creating conditions for Cuba to develop and integrate into the worldeconomy and trade in a fair and equal footing, he said.
The diplomat also affirmed Vietnam’s strong support of thefriendship, cooperation and solidarity with Cuba and commitment to protectingprinciples of international law as highlighted in the UN Charter.
The debate also saw representatives from seven groups ofcountries and more than 40 countries voice their support of the resolution,which was then passed with 189 votes of favour. The US and Israel voted againstthe resolution, while Ukraine and Moldova abstained.
This is the 27th time the UN General Assembly haspassed a resolution calling for an end of the embargo against Cuba imposed bythe US since 1962. However, the resolutions are not binding.-VNA
