Vietnam and Cuba Agree to Deepen Special Friendship as To Lam Receives Cuban Special Envoy Bruno Rodríguez
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Vietnam and Cuba on Friday agreed to deepen their traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam received Politburo member, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Special Envoy of the Cuban Party and Government Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla in Hanoi.
Rodríguez is on a visit to Vietnam from November 13 to 14, his second visit to the country this year.
To Lam Hails “Special and Loyal” Ties
Welcoming the Cuban Special Envoy, General Secretary and President To Lam described the relationship between the Parties, States and people of Vietnam and Cuba as special, loyal and pure, calling it a rare example in international relations.
He praised the positive development of the Vietnam–Cuba special friendship across all channels and areas of cooperation. He reaffirmed the consistent stance of the Vietnamese Party, State and people in solidarity with, support for and standing alongside the fraternal Cuban people, and called for the lifting of unilateral blockade and embargo measures against Cuba.
Acknowledging the difficulties and challenges facing Cuba, To Lam said Vietnam would, within its capacity, help the Caribbean nation to prosper.
Cuba Values Vietnam’s Support and Đổi Mới Experience
In response, Rodríguez affirmed that the Cuban Party and State always value and wish to consolidate and strengthen relations between the two countries’ Parties, States and people. He thanked Vietnam for its sharing and support, and said the success of Vietnam’s Đổi Mới (Renewal) policy is a major source of encouragement for the Cuban revolution.
Vietnam and Cuba Chart Path for Deeper Cooperation
The two sides agreed on directions and measures to deepen the Vietnam–Cuba traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation in a more substantive and effective manner, suited to each country’s new circumstances and the international situation.
They agreed to step up exchanges of high-level delegations, maintain regular theoretical exchanges, and share practical experience in Party building and national development. Both sides affirmed that the fraternal ties between the two Parties form a key foundation for strategic trust between Vietnam and Cuba.
They also pledged to make effective and substantive use of existing cooperation and dialogue mechanisms between the two Parties and countries, and to implement agreed cooperation programmes and projects.
Economic Ties to Match Political Relations
On economic cooperation, To Lam said the two sides must build on achievements in several areas and remove obstacles in order to raise economic relations to the level of their strong political ties.
He said Vietnam would continue to share its experience and effectively implement rice and pharmaceutical cooperation projects to help Cuba gradually overcome its difficulties, and pledged to facilitate joint ventures and investment by Vietnamese businesses in Cuba.
Rodríguez said the Cuban Party and Government always prioritise stronger cooperation with Vietnam in promising areas such as consumer goods, health, pharmaceuticals and tourism. He also called for close coordination at international organisations and multilateral forums, and for educating younger generations about Vietnam–Cuba relations to carry the special friendship forward.
At the close of the meeting, To Lam asked the Special Envoy to convey his greetings to Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and other senior Cuban leaders.
