NA Chairman receives parliamentary leaders of Cuba and Australia

At the meeting with the Cuban guest, Man stressed that the Party, NA, Government and people of Vietnam are extremely grateful to the Party, NA, Government and people of Cuba for sending representatives to attend the funeral of General Secretary Trong, and extend condolences over his passing.

Cuba officially mourned the passing of General Secretary Trong from 6am on July 20 to midnight on July 21, with the national mourning etiquette observed throughout July 22. At its plenary session on July 19, the Cuban NA observed a minute of silence in honour of General Secretary Trong. The moves are extremely sincere and friendship gestures that only exist between the comrades and brothers, the Vietnamese NA leader said.

General Secretary Trong had always reserved special affection for Cuba and its people. When he was still alive, the Party chief always affirmed that the faithful and steadfast relationship between Vietnam and Cuba has overcome all challenges, constantly grown and contributed to the cause of justice of the two peoples, Man told his guest.

Vietnam will maintain, continue and develop the legacy of General Secretary Trong in the relations with Cuba, he said, adding that the NA and people of Vietnam always share and accompany their Cuban counterparts. He also noted his appreciation for the sound relations between the two legislatures with high-level exchange visits.

Welcoming the Cuban NA’s proposal on organising the first inter-parliamentary meeting between the Vietnamese and Cuban NAs in Havana in the coming time, Man suggested the committees of the two legislative bodies continue to boost closer coordination to successfully hold the event.

The Vietnamese NA aspires to continue to step up cooperation with its Cuban counterpart in line with the their signed cooperation protocol with new and more extensive contents and cooperation mechanisms, Man said, while proposing the two sides increase high-level meetings at all levels, and those among NA committees, deputies, and two friendship parliamentary groups to exchange professional experiences in the field of legislation, supervision and decision-making on important issues.

The two legislatures are expected to enhance their roles in fostering the bilateral ties and pushing ministries, agencies, localities, and businesses to actively and effectively carry out signed treaties and agreements.

The NA Chairman said he hopes that both sides will continue coordinating at multilateral international forums and supporting each other's stances on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

In reply, the Cuban leader said that General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is a great ideologist who had worked hard to cultivate the friendship, solidarity, and sustainable cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba. In particular, the Party chief had visited Cuba five times and had important meetings with Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro and other senior leaders of Cuba.

Hernandez believed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam will continue to overcome all difficulties and achieve great achievements both domestically and internationally.

He affirmed that the Party, State and people of Cuba will continue to implement cooperation agreements to further propel the comprehensive cooperative relationship between the two countries forward.

Hailing the cooperation and regular exchanges between the two NAs over the past time, Hernandez hoped that in the coming time, the two legislatures will continue to intensify the exchanges of delegations and effectively prepare for the organisation of the first inter-parliamentary meeting between the two NAs, including the business forum between the two nations.

Meeting with President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines, Man thanked Lines for representing leaders of the Australian State, Government, and Parliament to attend the funeral. He considered this as a demonstration of their sincere sentiments towards the late leader as well as good relations between the two countries.

He noted that the demise of General Secretary Trong is not only a great loss to the Vietnamese Party, State, and people but also leaves an endless grief among international friends, including Australian leaders and people.

Applauding the Party chief’s contributions to Vietnam’s national development and external relations, Man said that while serving as the NA Chairman, Trong paid an official visit to Australia, and the trip heralded a new chapter in the bilateral parliamentary ties. He also made practical contributions to the elevation of both nations’ ties and the enhancement of parliamentary connections.

During his meetings with Australian leaders, and recently with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, General Secretary Trong affirmed that he attached importance to and supported the Vietnam - Australia relations to develop more strongly, practically, and comprehensively, he said.

The top legislator highlighted the two countries’ sound relations for the last more than 50 years with the recent establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership. The cooperation between the Vietnamese NA and the Australian Parliament has also been growing steadily in bilateral aspects and at multilateral parliamentary forums.

The two sides should continue strengthening meetings and high-level mutual visits between their parliamentary leaders and parliamentarians in the time ahead, he suggested.

Man expressed his hope that Lines will pay an official visit to Vietnam soon to discuss cooperation between the two countries and between their legislatures, along with issues of shared concern, thereby consolidating political trust and mutual understanding and turning parliamentary cooperation into a true pillar of the bilateral relations.

Extending condolences to the Vietnamese Party, State, and people, Lines said she always appreciates General Secretary Trong’s extremely valuable dedications to the Vietnam – Australia relations

The Senate President pledged to work harder to make greater contributions to the bilateral relationship, adding that she hopes the two sides will push up partnerships in such fields as economy, trade, climate change response, education, and training in the time ahead.