Strengthening close bond between Vietnam and Latin America

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is now on an official visit to Cuba and Brazil in an effort to strengthen ties with traditional partners and integrate Vietnam into the world.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong was welcomed at Jose Marti International Airport in Havana by Jose Ramon Balaguer, Secretary of the Cuban Party Central Committee and Head of the Party Central Committee's External Relations Commission (Photo:VNA)

Latin America has nurtured relations with Vietnam over the years and expressed admiration for Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation and its current economic development.

Fifty-two years ago, Cuba became the first nation in the western hemisphere to establish official relations with Vietnam. Cuba led the global movement to support Vietnam’s struggle for national independence and reunification in the past and now supports its national construction. The loyal bond between the two countries has stood the test of time.

“The relationship between Vietnam and Cuba was established during the fight for idealism and aspiration of both nations,” said Cuban ambassador to Vietnam Fredesman Turro Gonzalez. “Cuba is forever grateful for Vietnam’s support during many difficult years, and we will spare no effort to defend and promote our bilateral friendship”.

Relations between Vietnam and Brazil have also seen progress over the last two decades. The two countries have exchanged a number of senior visits, which have helped leverage bilateral ties to a higher level.

Following a joint declaration made during a Brazilian visit by the then Party leader Nong Duc Manh in 2007, Vietnam and Brazil committed to establishing a comprehensive and equal partnership for mutual benefit.

Two-way trade has seen annual increases, topping US$1.5 billion last year, up 150 percent. Recently, Brazil removed Vietnam from the list of countries subject to footwear anti-dumping investigation and adopted a list of 74 Vietnamese enterprises eligible to export fisheries products to Brazil, making the country the 5th largest seafood exporter to Brazil.

The two countries have been exploring opportunities to cooperatively produce ethanol fuel in Vietnam, as well as co-operating in steel production, engineering, and agriculture.

Nguyen Thac Dinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-Brazil Friendship and Co-operation Association and former Vietnamese ambassador to Brazil said cooperation between Vietnam and Brazil is flourishing.

“Vietnam imports from Brazil mainly wood and leather and exports aqua-products and garments. Both are leading coffee producers and are working hard together to protect the rights and interests of coffee producers,” said Dinh.

According to him the center-right Labor Party, the ruling party in Brazil, understands and admires Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation and its pathway to socialism. Both countries have a lot to learn from each other.

With Brazil in the process of adopting a new socio-economic development model, Party leader Trong’s current visit aims to seek ideas for developing a socialist-oriented market economy.

Party leader Trong’s visits to Cuba and Brazil are expected to further friendship and economic cooperation with these two countries. The visits will give Vietnam a chance to show its support for leftist and progressive forces in both countries and discuss the path to successful socialism.