Hanoi (VNA) – The chiefs of thegeneral staffs of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the Cuban Ministry of theRevolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) highlighted the fruitful defencecooperation between the two countries and agreed to enhance the partnershipduring talks in Hanoi on September 16.

The talks held following the welcome ceremonyfor the Cuban side were chaired by Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Van Giang, member of theParty Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission’s standingboard, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of NationalDefence, and Sen. Lt. Gen. Alvaro Lopez Miera, Politburo member, Chief of theGeneral Staff and First Deputy Minister of the MINFAR.

Both sides voiced their delight at the growth ofthe two countries’ relations, including in defence – one of the pillars of thebilateral ties. 

They noted the countries have effectivelyimplemented cooperation activities on the basis of the signed documents andagreements under the cooperation plan for 2017 – 2019. High-ranking exchangeshave also been further increased, helping to promote the defence partnership ina result-oriented manner.

As Vietnam and Cuba are preparing to mark the60th founding anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relationship next year,the officials agreed to compile a dossier on the 60-year history of the defencerelationship so as to help educate younger generations about the special traditionalfriendship between the two nations.

For the time ahead, the two sides will furtherpromote the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms and maintainall-level mutual visits. The officials also expressed their willingness towelcome each other’s delegations on the trips for the celebrations of thediplomatic relationship’s 60th anniversary in 2020.

Regarding collaboration in the defence industry,both sides agreed to work closely with each other in the implementation ofjoint projects.

Sen. Lt. Gen. Giang said the Vietnamese Ministryof National Defence is ready to cooperate with Cuba in such fields astelecommunications and communications for which Vietnam has masteredtechnologies. He also asked the MINFAR to facililtate the Vietnamese military-runindustry and telecom group Viettel to invest in telecom infrastructure andother potential areas in Cuba.

Besides, Vietnam will continue sending personnelto training courses in the fields the Caribbean nation is strong at likemilitary medicine and engineering. It is also ready to receive Cuban personnelfor training in cryptography, defence industry, electronic warfare andVietnamese language, he added.

After the talks, the Cuban delegation paid acourtesy call to Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich, Politburo member, Vice Secretary of theCentral Military Commission and Minister of National Defence of Vietnam. Theyalso had a meeting with Gen. Luong Cuong, Secretary of the Party CentralCommittee, member of the Central Military Commission’s standing board, and headof the VPA’s General Department of Politics.

The Cuban guests were on an official visit tothe Southeast Asian country from September 14 to 16./.