Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam attaches greatimportance to reinforcing and strengthening the fraternal solidarity and comprehensivecooperation with Cuba, President Tran Dai Quang has told visiting First Vice President of the Councils of State andMinisters of Cuba Salvador Valdes Mesa.

Salvador Valdes Mesa is on a working visit to Vietnam and attending activitiesto mark the 45th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s visit to the liberated zone in thesouth of Vietnam amidst the war of Vietnamese people against USimperialists.

During the reception for the Cuban official in Hanoi on September 13, PresidentQuang expressed his pleasure at the comprehensively consolidated and developed relationsbetween Vietnam and Cuba, and congratulated the Cuban Party and people on theirimportant reform efforts.

He expressed his belief that Cuba’s updated socio-economic development model will help thecountry achieve more important socio-economic achievements in the time to come,thus raising its position in the region and the world.

Cooperation mechanisms between the two countries – such as theIntergovernmental Committee, the political consultation between the two foreignministries, and the dialogue between the two defence ministries – have beenperformed regularly and effectively, he said, adding that the two sides have maintainedclose cooperation and mutual support in international organisations andmultilateral forums, especially at the United Nations.

President Tran Dai Quang praised the close coordination between the two sides inorganising the celebrations of the 45thanniversary of Fidel Castro’s visit to the liberated zone in South Vietnam (September1973).

He suggested both sides increase high-level meetings, exchanges of delegationsat all levels, and experience sharing, particularly in State leadership and socio-economicmanagement.

Bilateral cooperation mechanisms should be maintained tomatch the fine political relations between the two countries, he said, addingthat economic connection should be expanded on the basis of fully tapping potentialand strengths of each country, focusing on petroleum, telecommunications,infrastructure, tourism, agriculture, healthcare, education, construction, service,biotechnology, pharmaceutical production, consumer goods, and IT.

The Vietnamese leader urged the two counties’ ministries and sectors to effectivelyimplement the cooperation agreements signed and continue to promote negotiationsto sign new agreements on the economy, trade, investment, agriculture and telecommunications,aiming to perfect the legal framework and ensure stronger cooperation.

He stressed the need for Vietnam and Cuba to bolstermutual support and closer coordination at international forums where both ofthem are members – especially in the UN and the Non-Aligned Movement – and to promotemultilateral cooperation.

For his part, Salvador Valdes Mesa appreciated the solidarity and friendshipbetween the two nations, expressing his great admiration for Vietnam’s significantachievements in all aspects.

The Cuban delegation’s visit to Vietnam aims to learn from the Southeast Asiannation’s reform experience, he said.

Salvador Valdes Mesa said his country always respects and treasures thesolidarity and consistent support Vietnam has given to Cuba in recent years,affirming that Cuba will continue to back Vietnam at international forums. –VNA