HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam treasures and is determined to consolidate and expand its comprehensive co-operation with Cuba, affirmed Deputy Prime Minister Trương Hoà Bình as he welcomed First Vice President of the Council of State of Cuba Salvador Valdés Mesa on September 13.

The First Vice President led a Cuban delegation to Việt Nam to attend a ceremony to mark 45 years since Cuban leader Fidel Castro first visited the Southeast Asian nation (September 1973-2018).

Deputy PM Bình affirmed that Việt Nam always bears in mind Cuba’s support for its struggle for sovereign independence, territorial integrity and national reunification.

The celebration of the historic visit contributes to tightening the two countries’ special relationship and spreading awareness of it to the two peoples, especially the young.

Salvador pledged absolute support for Việt Nam’s revolutionary cause, saying that Việt Nam’s triumph is of significance to Cuba and the progressive movement in Latin American nations.

According to him, the Cuba visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee Nguyễn Phú Trọng in March has motivated bilateral political and economic ties. Both sides have to effectively implement signed agreements, particularly in trade and investment.

At the talks, both sides exchanged views on their countries’ situation, and measures to increase the efficiency of bilateral collaboration.

They agreed that the bilateral relationship has grown well in all fields, reflected through regular delegation exchanges, and the effective organisation of theoretical conferences, political consultations and defence dialogues.

Việt Nam and Cuba have coordinated closely and supported each other at international organisations and multilateral forums. Under the coordination of the Inter-Governmental Committee, both have collaborated effectively in the fields of defence, agriculture, information and communications, science and technology.

However, the leaders noted that economic, trade and investment ties have yet to match the two countries’ potential.

Therefore, they stressed the need to maintain high-ranking delegation exchanges and the regular organisation of cooperative mechanisms, and seek new cooperative measures to boost the bilateral relations comprehensively. — VNS