Chairman affirms Cuba friendship

HA NOI — Nguyen Sinh Hung, Chairman of the National Assembly, had talks with Raul Castro, first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba, President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba in Ha Noi yesterday.

Hung said Vietnamese treasured the special friendship, solidarity and support that the Cuban people had reserved for Viet Nam in the war for national independence and unification – and during the present nation building and development.

He said he believed that under the clear-sighted leadership of the Cuban Communist Party, the Cuban people would overcome difficulties and gain many more achievements in their noble revolutionary cause.

"The Vietnamese National Assembly pledges to work together with the Cuban... National Assembly to raise the special and traditional friendship between the two nations to a higher level," Hung said. He proposed that politicians from the two legislative bodies should make more exchange visits, sharing experiences in legislative and supervisory work.

President Raul Castro expressed the gratitude of the Cuban State and people for the support always given by the Vietnamese Party, State and people.

He spoke highly of achievements gained by Viet Nam in the renewal process and said he was impressed by the nation's high status in the region and world.

Both leaders exchanged viewpoints on international issues, particularly the world economic downturn and the situation in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

They also shared experiences in building state apparatus and the judiciary.

Earlier in the day, President Raul Castro visited the mausoleum of President Ho Chi Minh and laid wreaths at the War Martyrs' monument. — VNS