HAVANA — President Trần Đại Quang arrived in Havana yesterday, beginning a three-day official visit to Cuba.

The visit aims to strenghthen the brotherhood and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. The President is accompanied by his wife and a high-level delegation of Party and State officials.

Upon his arrival, the President met with Cuban leader Fidel Castro, during which he confirmed that Vietnamese leaders and people always remember and highly value Castro’s remarkable contributions to the establishment and development of the two countries’ solidarity and inclusive collaboration over the half century. 

He stressed that Việt Nam persistently supports the revolutionary cause of Cuban people and attaches great importance to reinforcing the special rapport between the two nations. 

Cuban leader Fidel Castro recalled his deep impression during his tours to Việt Nam, especially to the newly-liberated region in the central province of Quảng Trị in September 1973. 

The leader congratulated Việt Nam on the successful organisation of the 12th National Party Congress, and praised the country’s cause of liberation and current national building and defence. 

On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, President Quang congratulated the Cuban counterparts on the fruitful outcomes of the 7th National Party Congress in April, as well as Cuba’s significant achievements in updating new economic models and diplomatic activities. 

Host and guest also reviewed the historical milestones in the two countries’ relations over the past five decades and exchanged regional and international issues of mutual concern. 

While visiting the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba, President Quang urged the staff to support the implementation of the two countries’ economic, trade and investment cooperation projects to propel bilateral relations forward. 

Việt Nam and Cuba established diplomatic ties in December 1960. Two-way trade is recorded about US$200 million per year. – VNS