Vietnam supports Cuba in becoming observer at AIPA-44 General Assembly

NA Chairman Hue hosted a reception on September 16 for Vice President of the Cuban NA Ana Maria Machado, who is leading a delegation to the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians which is now underway in Hanoi, saying that this highlights the Cuban legislature’s support for Vietnam and the Vietnamese NA in particular.

The top Vietnamese legislator displayed elation at the ever-growing bilateral ties developed through various visits, as well as the working sessions and co-operation activities at many levels across different sectors and involving many localities.

Affirming the nation’s stance of supporting Cuba and calling for an end to the policy of blockade and embargo against the Caribbean country, he said the Vietnamese NA and himself always strongly support the Cuban NA’s bid to become an observer in the AIPA and foster its relations with ASEAN. At the recent 44th AIPA General Assembly held in Jakarta, the Cuban NA became an observer in AIPA.

He also stated his belief that the sharing of experience between the Vietnamese and Cuban legislatures will become increasingly more practical and effective.

Machado therefore expressed her delight at attending the conference and conveyed the regards of President of the NA of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández, Cuban lawmakers, and people to Chairman Hue.

She informed the host said that the leader of the Cuban NA is in the process of preparing to lead a delegation to the country to mark the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro’s visit to the liberated zone in South Vietnam in Quang Tri province and the 60th founding anniversary of the Cuban Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam on September 25.

Recalling NA Chairman Hue’s visit to Cuba in April which contributed to further tightening ties between the two Parties, countries, and legislatures, Machado thanked the Vietnamese side for assisting Cuba across a multitude of fields, demonstrating the sense of solidarity at international forums, including support for the call to lift the embargo placed on Cuba.

She also thanked the Vietnamese NA for assisting Cuba during the COVID-19 pandemic and endorsing the island nation’s observer status in the AIPA, in addition to seeking to boost ties between the two legislative bodies.

The Cuban NA backs and praises Vietnam’s hosting of the ongoing global conference which boasts highly-relevant topics for sustainable global development, she said, adding that the Cuban delegation has actively contributed ideas at sessions and activities of the event.

According to her, Cuba's foreign and sci-tech policies always place a strong emphasis on the role of youth and the continuity of their involvement in these areas.

At the meeting, both sides also said that the special and close-knit relations that exist between both sides are growing very well across multiple fields on the basis of substantive and more effective parliamentary co-operation, along with experience sharing between the two legislatures.