Vietnam resolved to deepen ties with Cuba: State President

Vietnam is resolved to continuously deepen the traditional solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Cuba, President Truong Tan Sang told President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo on September 29.

At the meeting in Havana, the first activity of his official visit to Cuba starting on September 28, the Vietnamese State leader highly valued the cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies, both bilaterally and multilaterally, as well as the Cuban National Assembly’s significant contributions to the success of the 132 nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) hosted by Vietnam earlier this year.

The President congratulated Cuba on its diplomatic victories and updated economic model achievements, attributing them to Cuban people’s tireless efforts over the past five decades.

He showed his admiration for Cuba’s protection and promotion of revolutionary fruits in social affairs, health care, education, biological technology and sports and its expanded collaboration with many developing nations, thus elevating the country’s prestige and position in the world arena.

President Truong Tan Sang used the occasion to convey National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s invitation to Esteban Lazo to re-visit Vietnam.

The Cuban legislative leader said he is delighted with the two countries’ special fraternal relationship, which was initiated by late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh and Cuban Leader Fidel Castro 55 years ago, saying the ties have been strengthened in all realms, effectively serving each side’s revolutionary cause.

He thanked Vietnamese leaders and people for their solidarity and support for Cuba, especially during the most difficult time of the Cuban Revolution.

The Cuban National Assembly is determined to work together with its Vietnamese counterpart to enhance the bilateral relations, especially in economy, trade and investment, and at inter-parliamentary organisations, striving to make the legislative ties a crucial factor in the special Vietnam-Cuba relationship, he stressed.

Cuban stands ready to work as a bridge for Vietnam to foster its multi-faceted cooperation with countries in the Latin American and Caribbean regions, he said.

The Cuban leader noted his hope to return Vietnam in 2016 and soon welcome the Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman’s Cuba official visit.

Host and guest agreed to increase the sharing of experience and lessons from respective development courses to practically contribute to improving the quality and efficiency of policy-planning and law-making.-VNA