A delegation of the Information and Communications Ministry paid a working visit to Cuba on Feb. 18-24, aiming at stepping up cooperation between the two countries in the fields of telecoms, printing and publishing.

While in Cuba, the delegation, headed by Minister Nguyen Bac Son, met host Minister of Informatics and Communications Maimir Mesa Ramos, Minister of Culture Rafael Bernal, Head of the Ideology Department of the Cuban Communist Party Central Committee Alfonso Borges, and President of the Book Institute Zuleica Romay.

Son briefed the Cuban officials about Vietnam’s socio-economic development over the recent years. He also expressed the Vietnamese people’s gratitude to the Cuban people’s support and solidarity over the years.

The hosts spoke highly of Vietnam’s recent social-economic development achievements, saying that the doi moi (renewal process) is a good example for Cuba .

Discussing the development of information and telecom technology in each country, Son and Mesa stressed the necessity of popularising the internet and taking appropriate management mechanisms to protect national security.

The Vietnamese side shared its experience on telecom and Internet management, the application of IT in State agencies and how to attract foreign investment in the sector.

They agreed to create favourable conditions for cooperation between Vietnam ’s Viettel Telecoms Corporation and Etecsa, the Telecommunications Company of Cuba , targeting the goal of turning Viettel into Etecsa’s partner in upgrading the telecoms infrastructure in Cuba.

Regarding book publishing, Son said Vietnam wishes to expand cooperation with Cuba in the field, especially in publishing books on Cuba, helping the Vietnamese people better understand the history, development and life of the Cuban people.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese delegation presented the copyrights of 58 book titles for children to the Cuban Book Institute. -VNA