President Trần Đại Quang (R) meets Esteban Lazo, President of the Cuban National Assembly of People’s Power. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sáng

HÀ NỘI — Parliamentary co-operation has contributed significantly to strengthening the relationship between Việt Nam and Cuba, President Trần Đại Quang said in Havana on Wednesday.

In talks with Esteban Lazo, President of the Cuban National Assembly of People’s Power, he asked both legislatures to continue supporting and monitoring implementation of agreements signed by the two governments.

This would improve the outcomes of joint projects, particularly in trade and commerce, investment, security and defence, and diplomatic activities, he said.

President Quang praised the socio-economic achievements of Cuba, and reiterated Việt Nam’s consistent support for the revolutionary cause of the Cuban people.

He conveyed to Lazo an invitation to visit Việt Nam from National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân.

Lazo said Cuba always attaches importance to the experience Việt Nam has gained during its 30 years of renewal, and looks forward to reinforcing ties between the two Parties, States, parliaments and people.

He expressed his wish to visit Việt Nam in 2017 to strengthen solidarity and co-operation between the two national assemblies and peoples.

Planned economy

President Quang also met yesterday with Ricardo Cabrisas, Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Economy and Planning.

Cabrisas briefed the President on Cuba’s socio-economic development strategy approved at the 7th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba in April this year, emphasising that the country would persist with the model of a planned economy.

Cuba appreciates Việt Nam’s effective assistance in boosting its food production capacity and developing the local fisheries and coffee sectors, he said.

He invited Vietnamese investors to Cuba, saying the country wants to start more trade and investment projects with Việt Nam.

The Vietnamese President said he was looking forward to the upcoming 34th meeting of the Việt Nam-Cuba inter-governmental committee, which will review collaboration outcomes and plan new actions to achieve medium-term targets set by the bilateral trade co-operation programme signed in 2014.

He requested the Cuban Government to facilitate Vietnamese enterprises’ operations in the country, particularly in telecommunications, oil and gas, tourism infrastructure, construction materials and consumer goods production.

Both sides agreed to support each other at international organisations and multilateral forums.

President Quang later met with leaders of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples and the Cuba-Việt Nam Friendship Association.
He praised their contributions to bilateral ties, and said he was confident that they would work together effectively to educate younger generations about the friendship between Việt Nam and Cuba. — VNS