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Presidents of Cuba and Vietnam Validate a Proven Friendship

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CubaVietnamPhoto: Estudios Revolución
 
Established in decades of political identity and solidary cooperation, the friendship between Cuba and Vietnam was renewed during the meeting held on Friday in Hanoi by its presidents, Miguel Diaz-Canel and Nguyen Phu Trong.
 
Phu Trong, who is also a general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), gave a warm welcome to the Cuban statesman and the other members of his delegation, which is touring Russia and four socialist Asian nations. The welcoming included a ceremony in front of the Hanoi Presidential Palace and then the two leaders held official talks.
 
Diaz-Canel, one of the first presidents who sent congratulation messages to Phu Trong for his election as head of State on October 23, took the opportunity to reiterate his congratulations and wished him success in the performance of his high responsibilities.
 
Phu Trong also received a cordial greeting from the first secretary of the Cuban Communist Party (PCC), Raul Castro.
Phu Trong, in turn, expressed confidence that Cuba will strengthen as of the renewal of its economic-social model and discussion and approval of a new Constitution.
 
The two leaders recalled the recent trip of the Secretary General of the CPV to Cuba and expressed the certainty that the agreements signed at that time are a firm basis to increase the commercial and cooperation ties between both countries to the same level as their excellent political relations.
 
During Phu Trong's visit in March this year, the two nations signed nine agreements aimed at boosting cooperation in many fields.
 
Two of these accords were referred to the strengthening of ties between the PCC and the CPV, and the conclusion of negotiations of a new trade agreement between the two countries.
 
One of the objectives of Diaz-Canel's visit is precisely to sign on Friday, also in the presence of the Vietnamese president, the document that will govern operations in that area during the next years.
 
In the last five years, bilateral trade exchanges averaged over $240 million USD per year, but the two sides are clear that the operations in this area still reserve a significant potential and aspire more than double in short term.
 
Diaz-Canel and Phu Trong expressed hope for the success of these plans and other specific cooperation projects. Cuba is one of the five main receivers of Vietnamese investment.
 
During the talks between the two presidents, the high level of agreement between the two countries on the main issues of the international agenda and cooperation in the multilateral forums was also ratified.
 
Some few days ago, Vietnam voted as always at the UN General Assembly in favor of a resolution that requires the United States to put an end to the unjust economic, commercial and financial blockade against the Caribbean nation.
 
Diaz-Canel also expects to meet with Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the President of the National Assembly, Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.
 
Diaz-Canel will visit on Saturday Ho Chi Minh City (about 1,760 kilometers south of Hanoi), the most populous city in Vietnam and its main economic, industrial and financial center.
 
At the beginning of his tour, the Cuban president previously visited France -a brief stopover during which he met with Prime Minister Edouard Philippe- and then carries out official visits to Russia, North Korea and China, where he was received by the highest authorities of those nations.
 
From Vietnam, Diaz-Canel will travel to the neighboring Lao People's Democratic Republic. / PL