Hanoi (VNA) – The State visit to Cuba by GeneralSecretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen PhuTrong from March 28-30 aims to consolidate mutual political trust and step upbilateral cooperation in economy, trade and investment in a more pragmatic andeffective manner.

The visit demonstrates the importance Vietnam attaches toenhancing its relations with the Latin-American region, as well as thecountry’s efforts to consolidate and advance its position.

It also reflects solidarity and friendship between theParty, State and people of Vietnam and Cuban Party, State and people.

This is the first high-level meeting between the two countriesafter the passing away of Cubanrevolutionary leader Fidel Castro Ruz in 2016, and also theVietnamese Party chief’s first visit to Latin-America following the 12th NationalCongress of the CPV the same year.

The Vietnam-Cuba solidarity and fraternal relationship,which were fostered by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Fidel Castro, have developedacross spheres, becoming a valuable asset and a source of great encouragementfor the revolutionary cause of each country.

Since the two countries set up diplomatic ties in December1960, their solidarity, mutual support and comprehensive cooperation have beenstrengthened.

Cuba took lead in movements supporting Vietnam’s paststruggle for national liberation, freedom and reunification, as well as itspresent national construction.

In 1973, Fidel Castro was the first and only foreign leaderto visit Vietnam’s southern liberation area when the war was going on.

The bilateral political ties have been reflected through theregular exchange of visits between the two countries’ Party, State andGovernment leaders.

Apart from intensifying delegation exchange between agenciesof the Parties, ministries, agencies and businesses, the two countries have regularlyand effectively implemented cooperation mechanisms.

Military affiliation remains a pillar and a model of theVietnam-Cuba relationship.

Cuba has attached great importance to sharing experience inreform with Vietnam, especially in political system building, macroeconomicmanagement, finance-baking, and State-owned enterprise management andrenovation.

At the same time, the two countries have cooperated andsupported each other at international organistions and multilateral forums,particularly the United Nations.

Vietnam persistently backs Cuba’s request for the removal ofthe US’s embargo against the country and commits to supporting the country’sbid for a seat in the UN Human Rights Council for 2021-2023.

Along with the political ties, Vietnam and Cuba have alsopaid heed to economic and trade bonds through a range of programmes andprojects.

In 2016, two-way trade reached 235 million USD, whichexpanded to 224.3 million USD in 2017. The two sides are striving to raise thebilateral trade to 500 million USD by 2020.

Vietnam mainly exports rice to Cuba, along with coal,chemicals, garments-textiles and computers, while importing pharmaceuticalproducts.

The Vietnamese Government always encourages and creates thebest possible conditions for businesses of the two sides to expand cooperationin order to make the economic and trade ties on par with bilateral politicalrelations as well as the special time-honoured friendship.

The Cuban side has also called for Vietnamese investments infood production, oil and gas exploration and exploitation, industry, tourism,bio-technology, and other priority areas in the Mariel Special Economic DevelopmentZone.

Vietnam and Cuba still have substantial potential forcooperation. Vietnam has strength in agriculture, telecommunications,electronics, computer science, electricity, consumption goods, and constructionand building materials. Meanwhile, Cuba has advantages in education, training,health care, bio-technology, pharmaceutical products and tourism.-VNA