Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong met with President of the National Assembly of People's Power and President of the Council of State of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez in Hanoi on September 30, as part of the latter's official visit to Vietnam until October 5, during which he will co-chair the second session of the Vietnam – Cuba Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee.
President Cuong warmly welcomed Esteban Lazo’s return to Vietnam, following a recent state visit by First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez. He underscored the significance of the Cuban delegation’s visit and expressed his belief that it would further reinforce the traditional solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
The Vietnamese President expressed gratitude to Cuban leaders for organising solemn meetings to celebrate Vietnam’s major national anniversaries, noting that political and diplomatic relations between the two nations through Party, State and people-to-people channels have reached new heights and stand as a model of international relations.
President Cuong affirmed Vietnam’s determination to deepen and enhance cooperation with Cuba in all fields, particularly trade and investment, capitalising on the strengths of both sides. He emphasised that the goal is to advance trade and investment ties to be commensurate with Vietnam-Cuba special relations, especially as the two countries celebrate the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations in December 2025.
For his part, Esteban Lazo showed his solidarity and conveyed condolences from the Party, State, National Assembly and people of Cuba to the Vietnamese people affected by recent severe storms. He expressed his confidence that Vietnam would quickly overcome the consequences of natural disasters.
He thanked Vietnam and President Cuong for the warm and respectful reception given to the Cuban delegation, congratulated Vietnam on the successful celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, and voiced his belief that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country will achieve its development goals for 2030 and 2045.
The top Cuban legislator was moved by Vietnam’s nationwide campaign “65 Years of Vietnam–Cuba Solidarity” in support of the Cuban people, describing it as a vivid reflection of the faithful and enduring friendship between the two nations. He reiterated Cuba’s appreciation of Vietnam’s solidarity, support and assistance in difficult times.
Both leaders reaffirmed their respect for Vietnam–Cuba exemplary ties, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and nurtured by generations of leaders and people of both countries. They recalled the recent visits by Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to Cuba in September 2024 and by President Diaz-Canel to Vietnam earlier this month, which created important milestones, consolidating political trust and opening new prospects in trade, investment and economic cooperation.
They pledged close monitoring and direction to ensure effective implementation of commitments, particularly in food security, energy security, biotechnology and other potential areas.
President Cuong highlighted the growing cooperation between the two legislatures, with high-level visits and joint activities contributing significantly to strengthening the special, faithful and exemplary ties. He affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to share its experience in nearly 40 years of renewal and deep international integration to support Cuba’s development.
The Cuban leader affirmed that the Cuban National Assembly will continue close cooperation with its Vietnamese counterpart, promote high-level exchanges, facilitate Vietnamese businesses operating in Cuba, and encourage youth exchanges to carry forward the bilateral tradition. He stressed that Cuba wants to learn from Vietnam’s development experience, which serves as an inspiration for Cuba and the world.
On the occasion, President Cuong asked Esteban Lazo to convey his greetings to Revolutionary Leader Raul Castro, President Diaz-Canel and other Cuban Party and State leaders. Esteban Lazo, in turn, conveyed Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel’s invitation to President Cuong to visit Cuba at a convenient time. The Vietnamese leader accepted the invitation with pleasure./.
