Havana (VNA) – The upcoming state visit to Cuba by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam demonstrates the special relations and traditional friendship between the two nations, according to Dr. Ruvislei González Saez, senior researcher at the Cuban Centre for International Policy Research.

In a recent interview with the Vietnam News Agency, the Cuban researcher stressed that the top Vietnamese leader’s trip will help deepen the fraternal relations and exemplify the wonderful bilateral ties not only between the two countries but also between the two Governments, armies and peoples, which, he said, are significant to both sides amidst complicated domestic and international situations.

Ruvislei held that the bilateral economic, trade, and financial relations should be developed on par with the political ties, expressing his belief that Vietnam could enhance its strategic presence in Cuba since mutual understanding between the two sides have brought many opportunities for and better the prestige of Vietnamese firms in the Caribbean country.

As for Cuba, he said the country needs to continue improving its business climate to lure Vietnamese investors, contributing to its economic development process.

According to Ruvislei, the two sides should enhance discussions to have a better insight into the changes in each other’s economy. Vietnam’s recovery capacity and resilience in the face of complex international scenarios as well as its experience in the path to socialism are valuable lessons for Cuba at this time.

They should continue evaluating and stepping up collaboration in biotechnology while Cuba needs to capitalise on the Vietnamese market to enter the market of pharmaceutical products and healthcare services in other ASEAN countries.

With a view to bolstering the traditional friendship between the two peoples, Ruvislei, also Vice Chairman of the Cuba – Vietnam Friendship Association, said that it is necessary to continue efforts to preserve the legacy built by the preceding generations, adding the association is working to popularise knowledge about Vietnam among the Cuban people.

A research facility focusing on President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology and Vietnam’s development and its relationship with Cuba will be launched this year with the support of the University of Havana, he said, highlighting it will explore measures to preserve and boost the special and unique relations between the two nations built on the friendship that was established by President Ho Chi Minh and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro.

The Cuban scholar also stressed the need to enhance visits between localities, saying they offer opportunities for the two sides to study and share experience with each other, helping better mutual understanding./.