The two Party leaders have agreed to promote high-level exchanges, share experiences in socio-economic management and Party building, and expand economic, trade and investment cooperation.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held talks with First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee and President of the Cuban State Council and Council of Ministers, Raul Castro, on July 8 following an official welcome ceremony in Hanoi.

During the talks, Party leader Trong welcomed his Cuban counterpart's official visit to Vietnam, which he said, will help deepen the comrades’ friendship and solidarity.

Mr Trong said he hopes President Castro's official friendship visit to Vietnam will contribute to elevating the traditional friendship, solidarity and fine cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba to a higher level and meet the two peoples' aspirations for both countries' development in the new era.

He said the Vietnamese Party, State and people always bear in mind the fine sentiments and valuable support Cuba has given to Vietnam. He congratulated Cuba on its tremendous achievements over the past years while declaring he believes Cuba will stand firm on the socialist path under the leadership of the CPC and successfully implement the updated model for socio-economic development adopted at the sixth CPC Congress.

For his part, President Castro said the solidarity, friendship and fine cooperation between the two countries have seen positive developments in the recent past.

He added that, with the determination and ambition of the two Parties, States and peoples, the two nations’ close relationship will continue to grown and flourish in the future.

The Cuban Party leader said cooperation between the sides has stood the test of time over the past 50 years and the close-knit relationship nurtured by Vietnam's late President Ho Chi Minh and the great Cuban leader Jose Marti has been preserved and developed, providing a firm foundation for both countries to move forward with their revolutionary cause and increase comprehensive cooperation

The two leaders also agreed to strengthen cross-cultural exchanges, educate their young generations about Vietnam-Cuba solidarity, and organize joint theoretical seminars between the two Parties.

Regarding regional and international issues, the two Party leaders reaffirmed the necessity and value of socialism in ensuring sustainable development targets for their people.

They stressed that all international disputes should be settled through peaceful negotiations based on respect for the fundamental principles of UN Charters, independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, and there should not be any interference in the internal affairs of other nations or the use of threats or force.

At a meeting with Raul Castro the same day, President Truong Tan Sang said President Castro’s visit to Vietnam following Party General Secretary Trong’s visit to Cuba is a significant milestone in the history of the two countries and the relations between the two peoples

President Sang highlighted the results of talks between President Castro and Party General Secretary Trong, affirming that despite being on opposite sides of the globe, Vietnam and Cuba have always been close in the past and continue to be close today.

The relationship between the two countries will be further promoted at governmental levels as well as for socio-economic development and in other fields at regional and international forums, President Sang said, adding that he will do his best to continue consolidating the two countries’ relations.

He also conveyed his best regards to former President Fidel Castro and other Cuban leaders.

President Raul Castro said all-round cooperation between the two countries has been confirmed through mutual assistance in both the past and at present.

He said Cuba is completing new economic management models and he highlighted Vietnam’s successes during its renewal process, saying he hopes Cuba will learn from Vietnam's experiences in socio-economic management through regular discussions.

On issues of international concern, such as environment pollution, conflicts of interest and democracy, he said Cuba is eager to cooperate with other countries based on equality and pursuing a socialist path towards the goal of building a friendly and prosperous Cuba.

This is President Castro's first visit to Vietnam in his capacity as the leader of the Cuban Party, State and Government.

President Castro's two-day visit takes place in the context of important developments in the two countries’ relationship, as reflected in the outcome of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's earlier official visit to Cuba in April.

The visit aims to implement the contents of the joint statement issued during Secretary Trong’s Cuban visit and discuss ways to enhance the comprehensive cooperation between the two nations

 (VOV)