On August 25, in Hanoi, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), presented the highest award of VUFO, the “For peace and friendship among nations” medal, to Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno.
During the ceremony, Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga expressed her appreciation for Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno’s contributions in strengthening the relationship between Vietnam and Venezuela.
Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno began her term in Vietnam in December 2019. Despite facing challenges due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Ambassador Moreno and the Embassy actively fostered connections between Vietnamese agencies and Venezuela in 2022. She also participated in foreign events and friendship exchanges organized by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations.
Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, President of the Vietnamese Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO), presenting the “For peace and friendship among nations” medal to Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno (Photo: Thu Ha). |
As a Doctor of Agronomy with expertise in agriculture, Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno made several business trips to the Institute of Agricultural Sciences and affiliated institutes to enhance the results of the Vietnam Rice Cultivation and Development Cooperation Project in Venezuela. She also promoted further development directions for this significant project.
Ambassador Moreno organized and participated in activities to promote Venezuelan culture in Vietnam and Vietnamese culture in Venezuela. She collaborated with the World Publishing House to translate books about President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap from Vietnamese to Spanish and showcased these works and artifacts from Vietnam at the International Book Fair of Venezuela (FILVEN) 2021 to promote the Vietnamese people and their country in Venezuela.
Delegates posing for a group photo (Photo: Thu Ha). |
President Nguyen Phuong Nga expressed gratitude to Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno for her special affection for Vietnam, her contributions to the country, and her dedication to Vietnam-Venezuela relations.
President Nguyen Phuong Nga believed that in her new role as Venezuelan Deputy Foreign Minister in charge of Asia, the Middle East, and Oceania, Tatiana Pugh Moreno would continue to make significant contributions to further deepen the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Venezuela and strengthen the friendship and solidarity between the two nations.
In her acceptance speech, Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno expressed her emotions regarding the recognition and honor bestowed upon her by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations. She accepted the medal with devotion and humility, recognizing that it is not only for her personally but also for the people of Venezuela and her colleagues at the Embassy.
Quoting the famous Venezuelan poet Aquiles Nazoa, who said, “Friendship is the greatest invention of mankind,” Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno emphasized the longstanding and firm friendship between the two peoples. She highlighted how this friendship has helped overcome numerous difficulties.
Returning to Vietnam made me realize how much I missed this country. During my nearly four years of living and working here, I have experienced the spirit and soul of Vietnam. I have come to understand the vital role of people-to-people diplomacy. Venezuela and Vietnam share more similarities than people may think. Both peoples have bravely fought for their independence, freedom, and national sovereignty, and are currently focused on building and developing their countries. Although I am now embarking on a new path with new responsibilities, Vietnam will always hold a special place in my heart. The Venezuelan Foreign Minister once jokingly told me, “Remember that there are more places than Vietnam,” because of the way I frequently talk about my experiences and cherished memories here. Throughout my time in Vietnam, I faced challenges during the two years of the Covid-19 pandemic and learned many valuable lessons. I could not have overcome these difficulties without the assistance of the Embassy staff. I would like to express my gratitude for the warm cooperation of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association. Although we bid farewell, my spirit remains here, and I will always carry Vietnam with me. Ambassador Tatiana Pugh Moreno, Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela to Vietnam |