Party chief’s visits expand economic ties with Cuba, France

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s tour to Cuba and France was a success, creating a new impetus to grow Vietnam’s ties with the two countries, especially in economy, according to an official.
Party chief’s visits expand economic ties with Cuba, France ảnh 1General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and French President Emmanuel Macron (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s tourto Cuba and France was a success, creating a new impetus to grow Vietnam’s tieswith the two countries, especially in economy, according to an official.

Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh, a member of the Partyleader’s entourage, said the Vietnam-France relationship is growing in allfields, and bilateral cooperation potential remains high.

Vietnam wants France to become a gateway for the country to access theEU, and Vietnam will help link France with the ASEAN.

While France is a large economic hub of Europe thanks to its modern infrastructure,science and technology as well as education and training, Vietnam is anattractive market with 90 million people and increasing income and higheconomic growth, noted the minister.

He said that new areas the two sides can supplement each other include transportation,energy, power, processing and manufacturing industry, aviation and maritime transportation,logistics, digital economic transfer, pharmaceuticals and petrochemicals.

Vietnam is one of France’s leading partners in ASEAN, while France isone of the biggest investors of Vietnam.

The signing and ratification of the Vietnam-EU free trade agreement is beingsped up, laying a foundation for stronger trade and investment ties betweenVietnam and the EU, including France.

Minister Anh said during Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’svisit, leaders of the two countries discussed the completion of legal frameworksfor cooperation in various fields, including science, education, economy,trade, investment and technology.

He noted that the signing of many deals worth billions of USD by businessesof both sides, including a 2 billion EUR contract in power, showed the strongerengagement of newly-emerged and private firms and the expansion of cooperationbetween the two countries.

Party chief’s visits expand economic ties with Cuba, France ảnh 2General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro leaves Havana for Santiago de Cuba (Photo: VNA)
Meanwhile, the Party chief’s visit to Cuba had historical significance,as the two countries are experiencing a new period of development with abundantcooperation opportunities.

One of the most important outcomes of the visit was an agreement toallow leaders of Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Cuba’s Ministryof Foreign Investment to finalise negotiations on a Vietnam-Cuba free tradeagreement, said the minister.

The two sides will review legal framework to sign the deal as soon aspossible, supporting trade, investment cooperation growth and enhancing capacityin production and accessing each other’s market.

Additionally, a series of agreements were reached in diverse areas fromeducation and training, justice, technology to environment.

Vietnam has become the second largest Asian partner of Cuba after China,with two-way trade exceeding 200 million USD.

The minister said that Vietnam has an important role in Cuba’sdevelopment strategy, as during the Party leader’s visit, Cuba granted investmentlicences to several Vietnamese firms in tourism, power plant construction andagriculture.

A Vietnam-Cuba business forum attracted more than 100 businesses of bothsides who discussed areas with high cooperation potential, a move expected toimprove production capacity and technology transfer between the two countries,and enabling the Vietnam-Cuba partnership to grow further, stated theminister.-VNA
VNA

See more

Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at the meeting with Vietnamese ambassadors and heads of representative missions abroad (Photo: VNA)

Party chief urges promoting image of “new Vietnam”

Party General Secretary To Lam underscored that, in the context of profound and rapid changes in the international and regional environment, foreign affairs and international integration have been identified - alongside national defence and security - as a “key and permanent task” of the Party and the State.

The 2nd Global Buddhist Summit opens in New Delhi, India, on the morning of January 24. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam attends 2nd Global Buddhist Summit in India

Alongside Buddhist activities closely intertwined with social life and the successful organisation of four United Nations Day of Vesak celebrations, Vietnamese Buddhism has demonstrated a strong spirit of unity and responsibility, making practical contributions to promoting harmonious coexistence and peace for the international community.

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam (Photo: VNA)

Moving forward, victory is certain: Party chief

In an article written on this occasion, the Party chief recalled President Ho Chi Minh’s call to action, “Forward! Total victory will be ours!” and emphasised that today the late President’s appeal still surges with momentum, “spurring us to strengthen our resolve, overcome poverty and backwardness, and build a prosperous and happy country.”

General Secretary of the 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam (Photo: VNA)

Foreign leaders extend congratulations to Party General Secretary To Lam

First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez expressed his belief that under the General Secretary’s clear-sighted leadership, the Party and people of Vietnam will continue advancing firmly on the path towards socialism and usher in a new phase of more prosperous, inclusive, and sustainable development.

Prof. George Toloraya, Director of the Centre for Russian Strategy in Asia at the Institute of Economics of the Russian Academy of Sciences. (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam enters new development era: Russian scholar

Prof. George Toloraya noted that the 14th Party Congress represents a pivotal shift from Vietnam’s role as a “factory of the world” toward its ambition to become a high-tech powerhouse, with development quality reaching a higher level.

Participants pose for a group photo at the ceremony to mark the 76th founding anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and China in Chongqing. (Photo: VNA)

Chongqing ceremony marks 76th anniversary of Vietnam – China ties

Consul General Bui Nguyen Long noted that the fruitful bilateral ties over the past 76 years have clearly demonstrated that the unceasing enhancement and development of Vietnam – China relations is fully consistent with the shared aspirations and long-term fundamental interests of the two peoples.

Delegates at the 14th National Party Congress vote on the list of candidates to the 14th Party Central Committee. (Photo: VNA)

14th National Party Congress: Enduring strength of people-centred path

Kyril Whittaker, a UK-based Vietnam specialist, that Vietnam’s 40-year Renewal (Doi Moi) process has succeeded thanks to three closely intertwined factors - a scientific and practical approach to reform, the Communist Party of Vietnam’s leadership role, and the principle of placing the people at the heart of all policies.

Party General Secretary To Lam speaks at an international press conference announcing the results of the 14th National Party Congress on the afternoon of January 23. (Photo: VNA)

Renewing mindset, setting development vision through 2045: Party General Secretary To Lam

The political report integrates three previously separate documents - the political report, the socio-economic report and the review of Party building - into a single, unified and comprehensive one, with clearer priorities. Designed to be concise, easy to understand, remember and implement, this integration stands out as a key hallmark of the Congress.

Communist Party of Vietnam General Secretary To Lam (right) and General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith during his visit to Vietnam on September 10, 2024 (Photo: VNA)

Top Lao leader to pay state visit to Vietnam

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith and his spouse will pay a state visit to Vietnam from January 26 to 27.