HCM CITY — Secretary of HCM City Party Committee Nguyễn Thiện Nhân has expressed his hope that the traditional co-operation and solidarity between Cuba and HCM City will be further strengthened and expanded.

Nhân made the comment while receiving the chairman of the Cuban National Assembly, Juan Esteban Lazo Hernandez, during his visit to HCM City yesterday.

The visit to HCM City was part of an official visit by Hernandez to Việt Nam from June 11-18. 

Nhân said that he appreciated the Cuban Government and Communist Party’s support for Việt Nam, especially HCM City.

Nhân expressed his thanks to the people of Cuba for their help during Việt Nam’s  struggle for independence and reunification.

“HCM City will do its best to further develop a good friendship with Cuba,” he said.

The secretary of the HCM City Party Committee also praised the achievements that Cuba had gained recently under the leadership of the Cuban Communist Party.

Nhân recommended that the two countries deepen co-operation in a range of fields, including agriculture, bio-technology, construction, and tourism infrastructure, among others.

The two countries should also create conditions to increase delegation exchanges at all levels to promote mutual understanding and bilateral co-operation, he said.

Hernandez highly praised the socio-economic achievements of HCM City as well as the performance of the city’s People’s Council, People’s Committee and political and social organisations. 

The chief legislator said that Cuba, which had prioritised co-operation with Việt Nam in the fields of trade and infrastructure investment, would complete a legal framework to promote long-term co-operation between the two countries.

Hernandez reaffirmed Cuba’s respect for the development of its traditional friendship with Việt Nam, which was established and developed by former President Fidel Castro and President Hồ Chí Minh.

Impressed by the solid development of Việt Nam and especially HCM City, Hernandez said he wanted cooperation activities to continue between the state agencies of the two countries.

At the meeting, the Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee, together with the leaders of the city’s People’s Council and People’s Committee as well as the Cuban National Assembly delegation, discussed policies of both governments.

The two sides exchanged experiences on management and operation of State Committees, state agencies and organisations in the process of national construction and development.

Bilateral relations have developed well since Việt Nam and Cuba established diplomatic ties in December 1960. The two legislatures also have friendly parliamentarians’ groups. 

Along with sound political relations, two-way trade between the countries reached US$247.6 million last year. 

Việt Nam, which is Cuba’s second-largest Asian trade partner, exports rice, coal, chemicals, garment and textiles and computers to Cuba, and imports pharmaceutical products. — VNS