President To Lam Meets with Cuban PM to Strengthen Bilateral Ties
Havana, The Gulf Observer: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam met with Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz in Havana on Thursday, in a historic meeting that underscored the enduring bond between the two nations.
Prime Minister Marrero Cruz praised Lam’s visit as a significant milestone in the relationship between Vietnam and Cuba, expressing deep gratitude for the unwavering support and solidarity that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam have extended to Cuba over the years.
The Cuban leader congratulated Vietnam on its remarkable achievements during its nearly 40-year renewal process and commended the country’s resilience in overcoming the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi. He reiterated Cuba’s appreciation for Vietnam’s assistance, particularly in recent storm recovery efforts.
In response, President Lam acknowledged Cuba’s long-standing and steadfast support, recalling the invaluable contributions of Cuban Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and generations of Cuban leaders and citizens to Vietnam’s national liberation, construction, and defense. He emphasized Vietnam’s deep respect and appreciation for the Cuban people’s achievements in advancing socialism amid significant challenges.
President Lam expressed confidence in Cuba’s continued success, reaffirming Vietnam’s steadfast commitment to support Cuba’s just struggle and the heroic Cuban people. He highlighted the growing strength of bilateral relations, particularly in the areas of politics, foreign affairs, and defense, which have become increasingly effective, trustworthy, and sustainable.
Both leaders discussed strategies to further enhance bilateral cooperation, emphasizing the need to optimize existing mechanisms, such as the intergovernmental committee on economic and scientific-technological cooperation. They also explored the establishment of new frameworks and the expansion of collaboration across various sectors, including ministries, agencies, and localities, with flexible and adaptive approaches.
Vietnam, currently the second-largest trading partner and the largest investor from Asia and Oceania in Cuba, has maintained a strong economic partnership. The two sides agreed to intensify efforts to boost trade and investment, with a goal of raising bilateral trade turnover to US$500 million over the next five years. Special attention will be given to agricultural collaboration projects and exploring new avenues for sustainable cooperation.
Prime Minister Marrero Cruz pledged to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises operating in Cuba, while President Lam encouraged both nations to fully leverage their bilateral trade agreement to achieve mutual economic goals.
The meeting also saw agreements to expand cooperation in areas such as agriculture and food processing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical services, telecommunications, tourism, construction, high technology, digital transformation, and innovation. Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to continue exchanging and coordinating on international issues, supporting each other’s legitimate interests on the global stage.
This high-level meeting reaffirmed the longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Cuba and set a solid foundation for continued collaboration in the years ahead.
