•  Vietnam’s experience useful for Cuba: NA President de Quesada

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said this in a recent interview with the official mouthpiece of the CPC, the Granma newspaper, before concluding his visit to Cuba. The newspaper carried the full two-page interview with Secretary Trong in its April 13 issue.

Vietnam and Cuba have maintained long-standing ties of friendship, solidarity and close cooperation. Successive generations of both nations will continue to forge this bond and support each other at international forums with the goal of protecting the revolutionary cause in their respective countries.

Party leader Trong said that after 26 years of Vietnam's Doi Moi (renewal), it has been proven that the right policies were put into place and they have brought about drastic economic changes in the country and helped ensure political stability.

The nation's impressive socio-economic achievements are propelling the country along the path towards building a prosperous Vietnam.

Vietnam is currently facing many challenges in its socio-economic development and international integration, therefore, the CPV needs to renew itself and combat opportunism, individualism and the degradation of political ideology and ethics among certain Party members, Mr Trong said.

Party leader Trong also talked about his meeting with Fidel Castro, during which he briefed the former President on the results of his talks with the Cuban President, Raul Castro, and the present situation in Vietnam.

Mr Trong said he hopes the roadmap for Cuba’s updated economic model will be highly successful.

The great Cuban leader spoke highly of Secretary Trong’s speech at the Nico Lopez Party School and highlighted the similarities between economic policies in both Cuba and Vietnam.

During their meeting, the two leaders also compared notes on regional and international issues of mutual concern.