Cuba, Vietnam Strengthened Bilateral Relations

During an official visit to Cuba, Communist Party of Vietnam's (PCV) Nguyen Phu Trong held dialogue with Cuban President Raul Castro to discuss the strengthening of bilateral relations between the two nations.

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Cuba and Vietnam first established diplomatic relations in 1960, born out of a shared goal to promote socialism and sustainable development.

“We firmly believe that the outcomes of this visit will greatly contribute to the inheritance and promotion of the Vietnam-Cuba traditional solidarity and friendship and, particularly, foster and improve the effectiveness of cooperation between our two countries in the new period,” Phu Trong stated in a release following the trip.

Phu Trong and Castro were parties to the signing of some nine agreements which aims to increase government and business cooperation between to two countries. Following the inking of the accords, Phu Trong furnished Castro with Vietnam's highest distinction, the Golden Star Order.

“The close friendship between Cuba and Vietnam has passed the test of time,” Castro declared.

The Vietnamese were similarly celebrated with the title of Doctor Honoris Causa in Political Sciences from the University of Havana.

Phu Trong's stay in the eastern province of Santiago de Cuba involved paying tribute to late former President Fidel Castro at the Santa Efigenia Cemetery. The PCV general secretary also managed to make a trip to a monument, located in Havana, which was erected in honor of Vietnamese hero Ho Chi Minh's honor. Phu Trong also laid a wreath at the tomb of iconic Cuban independence hero Jose Marti.

The Vietnamese general secretary squeezed in a meeting with Cuba's parliament president, attended a forum hosting communist youth as well as visited the Vo Thi Thang primary school, where he made donations.

The state visit ran from March 28 to 30.

Phu Trong was accompanied by other high-ranking officials.

Upon returning to Vietnam, he expressed gratitude to Cuban President Raul Castro for fostering the long-time shared vision by forging ahead with the newly strengthened relations.

The general secretary encouraged the continued the comradeship, cooperation, and solidarity between the Vietnamese and Cuban parties, states and peoples.