General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam (CPV) Central Committee and State President Nguyễn Phú Trọng during his talks with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee Raul Castro on Wednesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

HÀ NỘI — The Vietnamese Party, State and people treasure and want to deepen the special friendship with their Cuban counterparts, a top leader has said.

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyễn Phú Trọng made the statement during phone talks on Wednesday with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee Raul Castro.

During the talks, the two leaders exchanged views on the two parties, states and the Việt Nam-Cuba relationship, and discussed measures to promote bilateral relations as the two nations are celebrating the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties (December 2, 1960 – 2020).

The Cuban leader stressed that the close relationship between the two parties, states and peoples, founded by President Hồ Chí Minh and Leader Fidel Castro and nurtured by generations of people and leaders of Cuba and Việt Nam, will be forever exemplary relations.

He said the party, state and people of Cuba will do their utmost to preserve, protect and transfer to future generations this special relationship.

The Cuban leader congratulated Việt Nam on its achievements in the cause of đổi mới (renewal), especially its successes in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

He expressed his sympathy to Việt Nam for difficulties and losses caused by natural disasters recently and thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their support and assistance to their Cuban counterparts.

Castro expressed his belief that the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) will continue successfully carrying out resolutions set by the 12th National Party Congress and successfully hold the 13th National Party Congress.

He also detailed the situation in Cuba and its preparations for the organisation of the 8th National Congress of the CPC in April 2021.

For his part, the Vietnamese leader said the special friendship between the two parties and nations is a valuable asset. The Vietnamese Party, State, people and future generations will keep in mind the historical words: “For Viet Nam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood”, he said.

He expressed his sympathy with Cuba over current difficulties and believed that under the leadership of the CPC, led by Castro, the Cuban people will overcome all difficulties and challenges.

Việt Nam is willing to stand with Cuba during the process of the Updating of the Cuban Social and Economic Model and share its successes and shortcomings during the process of renewal over the past 35 years, he said.

Viet Nam will also spare no effort to surpass difficulties to maintain and develop economic, trade and investment ties with Cuba, especially in the supply of food and cooperation in food production in Cuba, he added.

Having spoken highly of the efficiency of bilateral co-operation mechanisms, such as theoretical workshops between the CPV and the CPC, the Inter-government  Cooperation Committee; the political consultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs and policy dialogues between the two Ministries of National Defence, the Vietnamese leader expressed his hope that the two sides will continue to promote these mechanisms to develop bilateral relations. — VNS