While receiving Cuban Minister of Culture Abel Enrique Prieto Jimenez in Hanoi on October 20, PM Dung promised to support and create favourable conditions for Vietnam’s concerned agencies to expand and boost cultural cooperation with the country.

Together with bilateral cooperation in politics, diplomacy and trade, the enhancement of cultural relations will make the two nations more close-knit, the leader said.

Jimenez said the Cuban delegation’s visit is aimed at accessing Vietnam ’s experiences in developing and preserving cultural values, thereby contributing to the building of relevant policies in Cuba.

The two sides are to sign a cultural cooperation programme for the 2011-2013 period, which will help the Cuban and Vietnamese people better understand each other’s cultures, he said.

The same day, Politburo member Truong Tan Sang received Minister Prieto Jimenez, who is also a Politburo member of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee.

Mr. Sang said Vietnam always stands side by side with Cuba and will do its utmost to promote the bilateral relationship.

The Party official conveyed the best regards from Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and State President Nguyen Minh Triet to Cuban President Fidel Castro and President Raul Castro.

Jimenez said Vietnam’s renewal achievements have proved the Vietnamese revolution was advancing forward firmly and that its experiences were very useful to Cuba.

The minister affirmed that Cuba will spare no efforts to strengthen and the traditional and loyal relationship between the two nations.

Later in the day, Jimenez held talks with Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and tourism Hoang Tuan Anh, during which they reviewed the results of cultural cooperation in recent times and signed a cultural cooperation programme for the next three years.

Under the terms of the agreement, the two sides pledged to increase cultural exchanges such as art performances, exhibitions of paintings, photos and books and film screenings.

The two sides will boost the sharing of experiences in cultural management, heritage preservation and management and facilitate cooperation between labs, museums, film studios and training establishments.

Cuba also vowes to participate in international cultural events which will be held regularly in Vietnam, including the Hue Festival, the 4th International Circus Festival, the 3rd International Puppetry Festival and the 2nd International Film Festival.