Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Văn Giang, Chief of the Việt Nam People’s Army’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence (left) and Sen. Lt. Gen. Alvaro Lopez Miera, Politburo member, Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy Minister of the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces review the guard of honour at the welcome ceremony in Hà Nội on Monday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam always stands side by side and supports Cuba to further promote the Caribbean country’s socio-economic development, for peace and prosperity in the region and the world, said Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc.

The PM made the statement while receiving Sen. Lt. Gen. Alvaro Lopez Miera, Politburo member, Chief of the General Staff and First Deputy Minister of the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces (MINFAR) in Hà Nội on Monday.

Việt Nam will actively help Cuba to overcome difficulties, particularly in food supply issues, he said.

PM Phúc noted that this visit to Việt Nam by the Cuban guests would help promote the relations between the two countries to a new height.

Sen. Lt. Gen. Miera said Cuba wished to learn from Việt Nam’s experience and support, particularly in food production, including corn growing.

Cuba also hoped to get support from Việt Nam in the development of the industrial sector, including shipbuilding.

Defence co-operation

The chiefs of the general staff of the Việt Nam People’s Army (VPA) and the MINFAR highlighted the fruitful defence co-operation between the two countries and agreed to enhance the partnership during talks later the same day.

The talks were held following a welcome ceremony for the Cuban side, chaired by Sen. Lt. Gen. Phan Văn Giang, member of the Party Central Committee, member of the Central Military Commission’s standing board, Chief of the VPA’s General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Sen. Lt. Gen. Miera.
Both sides voiced their delight at the growth in the two countries’ relations, including in defence – one of the pillars of bilateral ties. 
They noted the countries have effectively implemented co-operation activities on the basis of the signed documents and agreements under the co-operation plan for 2017-19. High-ranking exchanges have also been increased, helping to promote the defence partnership in a result-oriented manner.
As Việt Nam and Cuba are preparing to mark the 60th founding anniversary of their diplomatic relationship next year, the officials agreed to compile a dossier on the 60-year history of the defence relationship so as to help educate younger generations about the traditional friendship between the two nations.
In the future, the two sides will further promote the effectiveness of existing co-operation mechanisms and maintain all-level mutual visits.

Regarding collaboration in the defence industry, both sides agreed to work closely with each other in the implementation of joint projects.
Sen. Lt. Gen. Giang said the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence is ready to co-operate with Cuba in fields such as telecommunications and communications for which Việt Nam has mastered technologies. He also asked the MINFAR to facilitate the Vietnamese military-run industry and telecom group Viettel to invest in telecom infrastructure and other potential areas in Cuba.
Việt Nam will continue sending personnel to training courses in the fields the Caribbean nation is strong at like military medicine and engineering. It is also ready to receive Cuban personnel for training in cryptography, defence industry, electronic warfare and Vietnamese language, he added.
The Cuban guests were on an official visit to Việt Nam from September 14 to 16. — VNS