General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Marta Rojas (Photo: Trí Dũng/VNA)

(VOVworld)- Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has met with the leaders of the Cuban-Vietnamese Friendship Association, led by Vice Chairman Marta Rojas, during his visit to Cuba. At the meeting, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said that the friendship between both countries is not only shown in the relationship between the two Parties and States, but also in both peoples. Nowadays the circumstances have changed, but the close ties between Vietnam and Cuba remain. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong asked the friendship associations of the countries to continue organizing a diverse range of activities to nurture and develop their friendship. Solidarity between the two countries has never waned and both continue to support and help each other. Mr. Trong gave an interview to the Gramma newspaper, the mouthpiece of the Communist Party of Cuba, on the excellent outcomes during his official visit.  The drawing up of a renovation policy, the basic reasons for socialism and the path towards it in Vietnam, and the relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Communist Party of Cuba. He also talked about relations between the two Parties and states in the near future.

The same day, members of Vietnam's delegation met with the leaders of several Cuban departments and ministries. At the meeting, the Cuban officials said they hoped to increase cooperation with Vietnam in training doctors, and medical specialists, and provide Vietnam with top-quality Cuban medical products. The Secretary of Hanoi’s Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi and other senior of Vietnamese officials attended the opening ceremony of the friendship road of light in the centre of the capital Havana, which was funded by Vietnam. It leads to the Peace park, where the statue of late President Ho Chi Minh stands and also to August Revolution Square where the statue of national hero Jose Marti stands.

On the occasion of Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Cuba, both countries have issued a joint statement. The statement says Vietnam unswervingly supports the just cause of the heroic Cuban people, demands the US administration to end unconditionally its absurd embargo against Cuba over the past half a century, and values Cuba’s role in Latin America and the Caribbean region. Cuba values Vietnam’s increasing role in Southeast Asia, Asia Pacific and in international forums. Cuba believes that Vietnam will continue to gain greater achievements in national industrialization and modernization and socialism construction. Vietnam supports Cuba’s candidacy to the Human Rights Council in the 2014-2016 term. Both sides reiterate the values of socialism and agree to continue consolidating political ties and bilateral cooperation. Both sides underline the reform of UN  and its Security Council to achieve more democracy and ensure interests of member states as well as prevent actions contrary to the UN charter and international laws.

The Cuban state has conferred the Jose Marti Order, the highest distinction of Cuba to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong for his great contributions to fostering the relationship between the Parties, states and people of Vietnam and Cuba.