Havana (VNA) – General Secretary of the CommunistParty of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong had talks with First Secretary of theCommunist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and President of the Councilsof State and Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro Ruz in Havana on March 29 afternoon(local time).

At the talks following the official welcomeceremony, Raul Castro Ruz affirmed that the State visit by the CPV leader is ofspecial importance to the reinforcement of the ties between the two Parties,States and peoples.

He congratulated Vietnam on its enormousachievements over 30 years of Doi moi (reforms), voicing his belief that underthe CPV’s leadership, the Vietnamese people will continue to gain morevictories in national development and protection. 

General Secretary Trong underlined that theParty, State and people of Vietnam have a sincere friendship with their Cuban counterparts.He stressed late Leader Fidel Castro was a big friend of Vietnam, and hisexample, ideology and revolutionary career will live in the heart of the twopeoples forever.

He also congratulated the Cuban Party, State andpeople on their persistence in the revolutionary path, the accomplishments in updatingtheir socio-economic model, initiated and implemented by the PCC, and recent successfullocal and national assembly elections.

He expressed his belief that the Cuban Party,State and people will keep solidarity to tackle all challenges and difficultiesto promote the country’s revolutionary cause.

At the talks, the two leaders noted that thespecial Cuba-Vietnam relationship, nurtured by late President Ho Chi Minh and LeaderFidel Castro, is a priceless asset of the two Parties, States and peoples. Thetwo sides need to make unceasing efforts to protect, develop and pass thoseties down to future generations.

Raul Castro lauded the support the VietnameseParty, State and people has given to Cuba, appreciating Vietnam’s decision to freethe Cuban Government from its debt to Vietnam during the visit.

Noting with pleasure the fruitfulrelationship between Vietnam and Cuba, the leaders agreed to increasehigh-level exchanges and meetings, improve the quality and efficiency ofcooperation mechanisms and implement signed agreements.

At the same time, they will intensify thesharing of experience, especially in leadership and management training,socio-economic development and Party building.

Host and guest decided to step up cooperationin economy, trade, investment and education for young generations, whilecontinuing close affiliation in national defence and security, as well asexternal affairs.

Apart from enhancing mutual support andcoordination at multilateral forums, the two sides will intensifypeople-to-people exchange and education for youths of the two countries.

The leaders also agreed to work together toseek solutions to elevate bilateral economic ties more effectively, matching thepotential for their cooperation.

They also highlighted complete similaritiesin the two countries’ stance on many international issues, and agreed tomaintain mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forumsto which both are members, particularly the UN.

Vietnam committed to backing Cuba’s bid torun for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council for 2021-2023. Meanwhile, Cubapledged its support for Vietnam’s nomination for a seat in the UN SecurityCouncil for 2020-2021.

Party General Secretary Trong invited theCuban leader to soon return Vietnam. RaulCastro Ruz accepted the invitation, saying he will visit the country at anappropriate time.

Earlier, PartyGeneral Secretary Trong and his entourage paid floral tribute to Cuban’snational hero Jose Marti at his statue.-VNA