VNHNO - Vietnam has always treasured, and is determined to consolidate its fraternal relations and friendship with Cuba, the foundation of which were laid by President Ho Chi Minh and Cuban President Fidel Castro, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on September 13.
He made the statement while hosting a reception for the Cuban delegation, led by First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba Salvado Valdes Mesa. The delegation was in Vietnam to attend activities marking 45 years since leader Fidel Castro visited the liberated area in the south of Vietnam in September 1973.
PM Phuc said that Fidel’s visit to Vietnam is an important milestone in their bilateral relations, which need to be preserved by generations of both peoples.
PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba Salvado Valdes Mesa. Photo: VGP
The Vietnamese Party, State and people have always kept a close watch on Cuba’s development, he said, believing that the American nation will reap further achievements in the socio-economic development.
Lauding the efforts of both nations to consolidate bilateral ties in the past, with various cooperative mechanisms having been effectively implemented, PM Phuc said that the two countries need to maintain sound political relations, bolster economic collaboration, and develop traditional ties in a deeper and more practical manner.
He suggested enhancing delegation exchanges at all levels, saying that the Vietnam-Cuba Intergovernmental Meeting should take place by the end of this year to review cooperation content and look for new collaborative orientations that focus on all-round cooperation and support for each other at the international forums.
On behalf of the Cuban Party, State and people, Salvador Valdes Mesa congratulated Vietnam on the nation’s socio-economic achievements in recent years, affirming that Cuba has always attached great importance to the traditional relations between the two countries.
Cuba has given priority to developing its friendship with Vietnam, he said, adding that the official visit to Cuba by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong is a historical one, opening up new chapters in bilateral relations and setting up new cooperation sectors between the two sides.
Currently, Cuba is carrying out agreements inked during General Secretary Trong’s visit to boost collaboration in economy, trade, investment, and finance, he said.
They can work together in pharmaceuticals which Cuba holds an enormous strength in, he underlined, stating that Cuba has been interested in aviation cooperation with Vietnam to increase the number of flights connecting Cuba and other American countries.
Also, Cuba wants to set up a joint venture with a Vietnamese enterprise to foster tourism activities. Thus, it needs the support and collaboration of Vietnamese banks, he said./.
