National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ (second from right) met with Cuban revolution leader General Raúl Castro Ruz during his official visit to Cuba. VNA/VNS Photo

HAVANA – Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Vương Đình Huệ met with Cuban revolution leader General Raúl Castro Ruz, and First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel in Havana on Thursday (local time).

The two hosts welcomed the first official visit to Cuba by Chairman Huệ, who is also the first foreign leader to have visited their country after it successfully held the elections of deputies to the National Assembly of People’s Power for the 2023 - 2028 tenure and elected the new State and Government leadership.

They described the trip as a contributor to the relations between the two Parties, Governments, parliaments, and people, highly valuing their guest’s speech at the first special session of the 10th-tenure NA of People’s Power of Cuba.

Recalling his visit to Việt Nam and meeting with late President Hồ Chí Minh in 1966 as well as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyễn Phú Trọng’s State visit to Cuba in 2018, General Raúl Castro affirmed that the Vietnamese people’s unyielding struggle is always a great source of support and Việt Nam's socio-economic development is a model for Cuba.

He shared the view that both sides should continue enhancing their special friendship and solidarity, founded by leaders Hồ Chí Minh and Fidel Castro and passed down to following generations.

For his part, President Díaz-Canel thanked Việt Nam for assisting Cuba to guarantee food security and also spoke highly of its projects on fisheries and hybrid maize cultivation in his country.

The Party and State of Cuba have always paid attention to and created optimal conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to do business and make investment, he went on, noting that Việt Nam is currently the second largest trading partner and the biggest Asian-Pacific investor in Cuba.

Meanwhile, Huệ informed his hosts about the outcomes of his talks and meetings during the visit. Officials of Việt Nam and Cuban ministries, sectors, and localities also engaged in many discussions.

They signed cooperation documents in various areas, including parliamentary ties, construction, and agriculture, which will help develop the Việt Nam - Cuba traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation in a more practical and effective manner, he added.

Senior leaders of the two countries discussed measures to continue fostering comprehensive cooperation, including holding mutual visits and meetings at all levels, tightening bilateral trade and investment links, and bringing into play existing cooperation mechanisms.

They underlined the importance of activities to be organised in both countries to mark 50 years since Leader Fidel Castro visited the liberated zone in Quảng Trị (September 1973) and the 60th founding anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Việt Nam (September 1963), considering these as occasions to honour the countries’ long-standing friendship, all-round cooperation, and faithful solidarity.

Chairman Huệ said the Party, State, and people of Việt Nam always keep a close watch on the situation of Cuba and wish to help alleviate the difficulties facing the Latin American country.

Affirming the Vietnamese Party, State, and people’s consistent solidarity with and support for the just cause of Cuba, he emphasised that Việt Nam will continue standing side by side with Cuba during the latter’s process of national development and fight against embargoes, and that it will continue giving food aid to the country.

The two sides also exchanged views on some international and regional issues of common concern. They agreed to maintain consultation, close coordination, and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums, of which both countries are members, especially at the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

On this occasion, the NA Chairman conveyed Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng’s invitation to General Raúl Castro, and First Secretary and President of Cuba Díaz-Canel to re-visit Việt Nam when possible. – VNS