The Enduring Friendship: Vietnam and Cuba Strengthen Their Historic Alliance

During a meeting with the Vietnamese media, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long discussed the upcoming state visit of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam and President To Lam to Cuba, highlighting its significance for the two countries’ special friendship.

What is the significance of General Secretary and President To Lam’s upcoming visit to Cuba for the Vietnam-Cuba relationship, known for its special friendship?

The visit of General Secretary and President To Lam to Cuba carries immense importance. As his second foreign trip and first visit to Cuba in his new capacity, it showcases the high regard and commitment of Vietnam’s Party and State to fostering the special friendship between our two nations. This visit also strongly reaffirms Vietnam’s unwavering support for the just revolutionary cause of the Cuban people, our comrades.

This historic and symbolic visit will usher in a new era in our special cooperation and friendship, aiming for more tangible and sustainable outcomes. It presents an opportunity for our senior leaders to exchange insights on each country’s situation and discuss international issues of mutual interest.

Vietnam and Cuba are committed to deepening strategic exchanges and identifying key orientations to promote comprehensive, substantive, and sustainable development in our bilateral relations. Our two countries share a vision of happiness for our peoples and a dedication to protecting and building socialism in our respective nations, contributing to global peace and progress.

Additionally, the visit commemorates the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba, which will be celebrated in 2025.

With Vietnam being one of Cuba’s leading trade partners in Asia, what steps should be taken to further enhance bilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation?

There is significant potential for economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba. Our Party and State leaders have always prioritized this aspect, providing guidance and support to relevant agencies to facilitate and remove obstacles. As a result, cooperation in these fields is gradually matching the closeness and trustworthiness of our political relationship.

The 41st session of the Vietnam-Cuba Intergovernmental Committee in April outlined a comprehensive program and measures to advance our bilateral economic agenda until 2025, covering nearly 20 areas. During this high-level visit from Vietnam, the Cuban government is expected to announce the approval of two new investment projects by Vietnamese enterprises, further solidifying our country’s position as the largest investor from the Asia-Pacific region in Cuba.

Additionally, several Vietnamese businesses are exploring investment opportunities in Cuba’s agriculture and consumer goods production sectors, aligning with Cuba’s Socio-economic Development Strategy for 2030. We encourage Cuban businesses to reciprocate and seize investment opportunities in Vietnam to boost mutual economic growth.

To further strengthen our economic partnership, both sides should leverage the Vietnam-Cuba Trade Agreement, in effect since April 2020, to facilitate market access for each other’s goods. Promoting trade and investment through fairs, exhibitions, and forums will also create valuable networking opportunities for businesses from both countries to explore cooperation possibilities.

I am confident that with the shared determination and efforts of our two Parties, States, and peoples, economic, trade, and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba will continue to flourish and achieve new milestones.

First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President Miguel Mario Díaz-Canel Bermúdez welcomed Minister of Public Security To Lam during his official visit to Cuba in 2022. Photo: VNA

Local cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between Vietnam and Cuba have flourished. How does this contribute to the broader relationship between our two nations?

Local cooperation and people-to-people exchanges are vital for strengthening the foundation of our bilateral relationship. The Vietnamese Party and State strongly encourage and support such interactions, believing that they foster a deeper understanding and solidarity between our peoples, especially among the younger generations.

Despite the geographical distance, exchanges and cooperation between our localities, political-social organizations, and citizens have yielded remarkable results. Since 2020, over 20 delegations from provinces, cities, and political-social organizations of our countries have participated in cultural, educational, and health exchange programs. To date, five localities in Vietnam have established cooperative relationships with six localities in Cuba through signed agreements.

We anticipate that during General Secretary and President To Lam’s state visit to Cuba and throughout 2024, there will be even more local cooperation agreements between our countries. Regular and trusting interactions between our political-social organizations have also played a crucial role in maintaining our strong relationship. Additionally, our scholarship and student exchange programs have created lasting connections between the youth of Vietnam and Cuba, fostering a shared understanding and appreciation of our respective cultures.

These exchanges create enduring bonds between our generations and cultures, solidifying the political and economic ties between Vietnam and Cuba. They are a testament to our nations’ unwavering commitment to mutual solidarity and friendship.