Havana, March 28 (RHC)-- Cuban President Raul Castro granted the Jose Marti Order to Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in a ceremony held Thursday at Havana’s Revolution Palace.

The distinction acknowledges the revolutionary records and work of Tan Dung and his contribution to the economic development of his country, as well as his support and bilateral friendly relations between Vietnam and Cuba.

as he read the document recording the award of the Order, Homero Acosta , the secretary of the Cuban Council of State said that Ngyen tan Dung represents the feelings that unite the Vietnamese and the Cuban people,

Upon receiving the distinction, the Vietnamese Premier said he was honored and moved for having been awarded the highest order granted by the Cuban State. He expressed his gratitude on behalf of the Vietnamese Communist Party, state and people, and described as exemplary the historic friendship between the two nations.

Prior to the ceremony, the Cuban President headed the official welcome for Tan Dung and both leaders held official talks.

A mid-term bilateral agenda between the two governments was signed by the two governments along with a memo of understanding to boost collaboration between the Cuban and the Vietnamese Health ministries and the Cuban Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Company Biocubafarma.

The Vietnamese Premier announced that on this occasion his country is donating five thousand tons of rice and 100 computers to Cuba, a gesture that was appreciated by President Raul Castro.

Nguyen Tan Dung concluded his official visit to Cuba on Thursday, during which he also held a fraternal meeting with Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro.

The Jose Marti Order was established in 1972 and it is granted to Cuban and Foreign nationals and heads of state or government to acknowledge their services to humanity and their contribution to peace, as well as their contribution to education, culture, science and sports or to the activities there are in charge of developing.