HÀ NỘI – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Nguyễn Phú Trọng had talks with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro Ruz in Havana on March 29 afternoon (local time). 

At the talks following the official welcome ceremony, Raul Castro Ruz affirmed that the State visit by the CPV leader is of special importance to the reinforcement of the ties between the two Parties, States and peoples. 
He congratulated Việt Nam on its enormous achievements over 30 years of Đổi Mới (reforms), voicing his belief that under the CPV’s leadership, the Vietnamese people will continue to gain even more accomplishment in national development and protection. 
General Secretary Trọng underlined that the Party, State and people of Việt Nam have a sincere friendship with their Cuban counterparts. He stressed late Leader Fidel Castro was a big friend of Việt Nam, and his example, ideology and revolutionary career will live in the heart of the two peoples forever. 
He also congratulated the Cuban Party, State and people on their persistence in the revolutionary path, the accomplishments in updating their socio-economic model, initiated and implemented by the PCC, and recent successful local and national assembly elections. 
He expressed his belief that the Cuban Party, State and people will keep solidarity to tackle all challenges and difficulties to promote the country’s revolutionary cause. 
At the talks, the two leaders noted that the special Cuba- Việt Nam relationship, nurtured by late President Hồ Chí Minh and Leader Fidel Castro, is a priceless asset of the two Parties, States and peoples. The two sides need to make unceasing efforts to protect, develop and pass those ties down to future generations. 
Raul Castro lauded the support the Vietnamese Party, State and people have given to Cuba, appreciating Việt Nam’s decision to free the Cuban Government from its debt to Việt Nam during the visit. 
Noting with pleasure the fruitful relationship between Việt Nam and Cuba, the leaders agreed to increase high-level exchanges and meetings, improve the quality and efficiency of cooperation mechanisms and implement signed agreements. 
At the same time, they will intensify the sharing of experience, especially in leadership and management training, socio-economic development and Party building. 
Host and guest decided to step up cooperation in economy, trade, investment and education for young generations while continuing close cooperation in national defence and security, as well as external affairs. 
Apart from enhancing mutual support and coordination at multilateral forums, the two sides will intensify people-to-people exchange and education for youths of the two countries. 
The leaders also agreed to work together to seek solutions to elevate bilateral economic ties more effectively, matching the potential for their cooperation. 
They also highlighted similarities in the two countries’ stance on many international issues and agreed to maintain mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums to which both are members, particularly the UN. 
Việt Nam committed to backing Cuba’s bid to run for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council for 2021-2023. Meanwhile, Cuba pledged its support for Vietnam’s nomination for a seat in the UN Security Council for 2020-2021. 
Party General Secretary Trọng invited the Cuban leader to soon return to Việt Nam. Raul Castro Ruz accepted the invitation, saying he will visit the country at an appropriate time. 
Earlier, Party General Secretary Trọng and his entourage paid floral tribute to Cuban’s national hero Jose Marti at his statue. – VNA/VNS