Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and his spouse are set to make a state visit to Cuba at the invitation of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudez and his spouse.
On this occasion, Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Orlando Nicolas Hernandez Guillen shared insights with VietnamPlus about the significance of the upcoming visit.
A significant and groundbreaking visit
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam is a great friend of the Cuban people, Party, and Government, hence the significance of his visit, the diplomat said.
He said that during the visit, the two sides are expected to reach important agreements, contributing to promoting relations between the two Parties.
The Cuban diplomat held that delegation meetings through the Party, parliament, and Government channels will have a positive impact on the relationship between the two countries as well as important cooperation areas.
Leaders from Vietnamese provinces and cities will also travel to Cuba to explore opportunities for collaboration, introducing a new dimension to bilateral relations.
An inter-parliamentary meeting was held on the economy, politics, and society between a Vice Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam and the President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba and leaders of the NA committees. The outcomes of the meeting will contribute greatly to the achievements of the top Vietnamese leader’s visit, said the Cuban diplomat.
The diplomat said that the visit will mark an historically significant moment. Cuba was the first country in the western hemisphere with which Vietnam established relations. Throughout the ups and downs in history, Vietnam and Cuba have stood by each other’s side and supported each other through difficult and complex moments, and fought common enemies. This is evidence of the special brotherhood between the two nations through the past 65 years.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the two sides promoted their mutual support by providing each other with supplies, medicine and vaccines.
Over the years, Vietnam has emerged as an important partner in Cuba's economic opening strategy. It stands as the largest Asian foreign investor and the second-largest Asian trading partner in Cuba. There is hope for new investments in the future, which would further strengthen these achievements and enhance economic cooperation between the two nations, said the ambassador.
He stated that Cuba and Vietnam are both governed by communist parties and share a common goal of constructing a more equitable and just society for their citizens. This mutual commitment provides a valuable platform for the sides to exchange ideas and discuss their experiences, achievements, and unique capabilities.
Mutual support in facing global challenges
Vietnam stands as a brother and friend to Cuba, stated the Cuban diplomat.
According to him, the Southeast Asian nation is a model one that, despite being ravaged by war, impoverished, and facing numerous hardships, has persevered through adversity, blockades, and threats to move forward. Vietnam triumphed over its enemies and today holds a significant position within the international community. Its success has brought Cuba joy, admiration, and satisfaction, while inspiring Cuba to develop its economy and society by learning from Vietnam's achievements.
Over the time, the bilateral relationship has flourished and expanded across various sectors, with both nations leveraging their respective strengths, he assessed.
Ambassador Guillen also highlighted that the complementary strengths of Vietnam and Cuba will enable both nations to advance together in their regions and on the global stage. Currently, Vietnam is assisting Cuba in ensuring food security and attracting foreign investment. At Cuba’s Mariel Special Development Zone, Vietnam is the only nation granted a concession to operate an economic zone, which is expected to be a strategic location for attracting foreign funds.
In addition, he said that Cuba hopes to benefit from Vietnam's expertise in renewable energy, aquaculture, and food production, including rice and coffee.
Cuba can offer Vietnam support in the pharmaceuticals sector, transferring advanced technologies, and fostering student exchanges and assisting related training. Through these efforts, both countries are poised to achieve greater successes regionally and internationally.
The diplomat held that amid growing world complexities and threats, the two countries share similar views on the most pressing global issues. The upcoming state visit of Vietnam’s top leader to Cuba will further demonstrate to the world that the sides support each other as they both face increasingly complex global challenges./.
