Top leader’s Cuba visit manifests importance Vietnam attaches to bilateral ties

This is Lam’s first Cuba visit after his election as as head of the Party and the State, demonstrating the high regard the Vietnamese Party and the State, and the top leader himself place on Cuba as well as the bilateral relationship.

Cuba was the first Latin American country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1960. Over the past nearly 65 years, the traditional solidarity, mutual support, and comprehensive cooperation have continuously been consolidated and strengthened across spheres.

The relationship between the two Parties has been growing intensively, serving as the political foundation and guiding the development of the Vietnam-Cuba ties. They have maintained bilateral engagements and all-level delegation exchanges.

Cuba declared a national mourning period to commemorate Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and sent President of the National Assembly of People's Power Esteban Lazo Hernandez to Vietnam for his funeral.

The two sides have also effectively implemented mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, the deputy ministerial-level Defence Policy Dialogue, and the deputy foreign ministerial-level Political Consultation.

Vietnamese and Cuban leaders have agreed to inherit and carry forward the fine tradition, and stay resolved to bring the special relationship to a new stage, with a focus on advancing economic, trade, and investment cooperation on par with the strong political ties.

Vietnam is Cuba's second-largest Asian trading partner, yet the bilateral trade remains modest. On April 1, 2020, the Vietnam-Cuba Trade Agreement, signed in 2015, officially came into effect, featuring numerous new trade incentives.

Vietnam is also the largest Asian foreign investor in Cuba. Vietnamese businesses are interested in and gradually expanding their investment there, particularly in the Mariel Special Economic Zone, mainly in essential consumer goods production, building materials, and renewable energy.

At international forums, especially the United Nations, the two countries have provided mutual support, particularly in issues of Vietnam’s strategic interests. Vietnam consistently upholds its stance on solidarity with Cuba, opposes the US embargo against Cuba, and calls for its removal.

Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairman of its Commission for External Relations, said during the visit, the top leaders of the two Parties and States will review cooperation results, and chart orientations in various areas.

Trung expressed his belief that the visit will be a great success, making a significant contribution to enhancing the special friendship and fraternity between the two nations.

Cuban Ambassador Orlando Nicolas Hernandez Guillen said Lam’s visit is of great significance, noting the two sides are expected to reach important agreements in the Party aspect, contributing to promoting the relations between the two Parties.