(VOVworld) – President Tran Dai Quang has begun his 3-day official visit to Cuba at the invitation of Cuban President Raul Castro. The visit from Tuesday to Thursday continues to deepen the special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and mutual trust between the Parties, States, and people of the 2 countries.
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| President Tran Dai Quang and his wife pay an official visit to Cuba |
The Vietnam-Cuba brotherhood has stood the test of time and become a priceless asset and a great encouragement for the revolutionary cause in each country.
Special relations
Vietnam and Cuba have established a close relationship rarely seen in the contemporary world. Geographical distance doesn’t matter to their loyal bonds. Over the past half century, both countries have stood side by side in their struggles for national liberation. The Party, state, and people of Cuba gave valuable and effective support for Vietnam during its war against foreign invaders. Cuba in turn received heartfelt support from Vietnam during a difficult time caused by sanctions and natural disasters. Vietnam has followed with keen interest what Cubans have achieved with the socio-economic model approved at the 6th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba. Vietnam believes that under the clear-sighted leadership of the Cuban Party, leader Fidel Castro, and President Raul Castro, the Cuban people will overcome difficulties and enjoy a brighter future.
Momentum for bilateral economic ties
On the basis of their traditional, special amity, Vietnam and Cuba have worked to deepen bilateral ties through the regular exchange of visits by senior leaders and officials. Both countries regularly and effectively use the cooperative mechanism of the Intergovernmental Committee, the Parties’ theory workshops, their Foreign Ministries’ political consultations, and their security-defense dialogue. Trade and investment cooperation has boosted total trade value to 200 million USD per year, a large part of which comes from Vietnam’s exports. Vietnam mainly exports rice and consumer goods and imports biological products and medicines. Significant results have been seen in joint projects for rice and beans, aquaculture, finished biological products, culture, sports, tourism, education, and training.
Vietnamese businesses are investing in Cuba’s tourism infrastructure, building materials, and consumer goods. The two countries maintain mutual cooperation and support at international organizations and multilateral forums, including the UN.
The Vietnamese government creates incentives for Vietnamese and Cuban businesses to expand their cooperation so that economic and trade ties will match their political ties. Cuba encourages Vietnamese businesses to invest in food production, oil and gas development, industry, tourism, biology, and other areas in Mariel Special Economic Zone in Cuba. In this context, President Tran Dai Quang’s visit to Cuba will expand a roadmap of economic cooperation as well as special political ties between the two countries.