State president starts official Cuban visit

At talks, State President Trần Đại Quang and his Cuban counterpart Raul Castro discussed ways to strengthen the relationship between the two countries' parties and people, as well as the issues of mutual concern.

Cuban president Raul Castro congratulated Vietnam on its all-around and significant achievements over the past three decades, saying that Cuba highly values Vietnam's experience and lessons during its development.

Host and guest agreed that the two countries hold great potentials for co-operation in business, science and technology, agriculture and fisheries, processing industry and consumer goods, energy, medicine and pharmaceuticals, and education and training. They vowed to continue maintaining and improving the efficiency of existing co-operation mechanisms.

The two countries will review and gradually refine the legal framework for economic affiliation with a priority given to accelerating negotiations towards the signing of a new-generation trade agreement which will replace the one signed in 1996, making it easier for bilateral economic-trade and investment activities. On specific areas of co-operation, the two leaders agreed to improve the efficiency of on-going and future projects in agriculture and fisheries, facilitating the businesses of both countries, and launching joint projects on tourism infrastructure, construction materials and consumer goods.

Vietnam and Cuba will consider the possibility of establishing mechanisms to enhance collaboration in researching, testing and manufacturing of pharmaceuticals as well as boosting ties across culture, sports, tourism, training, transport, justice, and finance and banking, among others.

Both sides pledged to continue working closely together at international and multilateral forums to protect their rights and interests, and enhance each country's prestige and position while making positive contributions to peace, stability, co-operation and development.

They shared the common stance on supporting the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of respect for international law.

State President Quang used the opportunity to announce Vietnam's gift of 5,000 tonnes of rice to Cuba, and invited Castro to return to Vietnam for an official visit soon. The Cuban leader accepted the invitation with pleasure. Following the talks, host and guest witnessed the signing of a governmental agreement on veterinary co-operation and a memorandum of understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Trade and Investment.

In the evening the same day, the President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba hosted a ceremony to awarded Cuba's highest award - the Jose Marti Order - to State President Tran Dai Quang. Speaking at the event, State President Quang expressed his sincere and profound thanks to Cuban leaders and people for standing side by side with the Vietnamese nation in its struggle for national independence and re-unification and current development.

He took the occasion to express his determination to work together with the two countries' leaders and people to continue fostering the special and exemplary relationship between Vietnamese and Cuban parties, states and peoples.

The relationship between Cuba and Vietnam has been continuously increasing and strengthened since it was established in 1960. The two countries have exchanged many high-ranking delegations and boosted cooperation in many sectors including trade, agriculture, oil and gas and telecommunications. The two countries have maintained a relationship and supported each other in the international organisation and multilateral forums, especially the UN.