President To Lam Meets Cuban Revolutionary Leader Raúl Castro in Havana

Havana, The Gulf Observer: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam met with General Raúl Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban revolution, in Havana on the morning of September 27, as part of his official state visit to Cuba.

The meeting was attended by First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez. During the discussions, President Lam briefed Raúl Castro on the outcomes of his earlier talks with President Diaz-Canel, as well as his meetings with the President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba, Esteban Lazo Hernandez, and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.

Lam emphasized the success of his visit, noting that both sides evaluated it as having achieved practical outcomes, strengthening the political trust and close bonds between the two countries. The leaders agreed on comprehensive cooperation in all sectors, with the relationship between the two Communist Parties serving as the political foundation for strategic cooperation in defense, security, and external relations. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of promoting economic, trade, and investment ties, particularly in rice production and energy.

President Lam paid tribute to the legacy of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro, who supported Vietnam during its struggle for national independence, a symbol of solidarity that continues to define the Vietnam-Cuba relationship. He also thanked Raúl Castro for his significant contributions to fostering this enduring bilateral friendship.

Lam took the opportunity to share Vietnam’s achievements after nearly 40 years of Đổi Mới (renewal) and expressed appreciation for Cuba’s efforts in addressing challenges, as guided by the resolutions of the 8th National Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba.

In response, Raúl Castro welcomed Lâm’s visit and praised its success. He fondly recalled his past visits to Vietnam and expressed admiration for the Vietnamese people, noting their resilience and commitment to independence and reunification. He expressed confidence that Vietnam, with its spirit and strong leadership, would continue to achieve new milestones on its path to socialism.

Raúl Castro also acknowledged Vietnam’s renewal experiences, particularly in building a strong and transparent Party, and noted that Cuba could learn from these lessons as it continues to update its socio-economic model. He urged Cuban leaders, including President Diaz-Canel, to ensure the implementation of agreements reached during Lam’s visit for the benefit of both nations and to contribute to peace, stability, and sustainable development in their regions and globally.

President Lam extended an invitation to Raúl Castro to revisit Vietnam, which was graciously accepted.