Building on Vietnam-Cuban solidarity

After concluding activities at the United Nations Summit in New York, President Sang and his entourage began their official visit to Cuba. After a three-hour flight from John F. Kennedy (JFK) International Airport, the delegation arrived at Jose Marti International Airport in Cuba's capital Havana.

The President's first working day in Cuba was a gathering of unity, friendship and all-round co-operation between the two countries. A memorial ceremony at the President Ho Chi Minh Monument was held despite rain during the middle of the ceremony. Many elderly people and children along the surrounding streets chanted "Long live Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh!".

Despite a short stay, President Sang spent much time visiting and presenting gifts to children at three primary schools named Uncle Ho, Nguyen Van Troi, and Vo Thi Thang. Tran Quoc Thuan, husband of heroine Vo Thi Thang, was moved to tears while listening to pupils at the Vo Thi Thang Primary School recounting the heroine's career and sacrifices. The State leader was impressed with Cuba's education to younger generations on patriotism and loyalty to the nation, while noting that younger generations will bring a new future for Cuba.

Earlier, at the beginning of a meeting between President Sang and President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo, the host expressed his appreciation for the support Vietnamese people have given to Cuban people during the years of exceptional difficulties. He was especially thankful for the times Vietnamese people shared their food with his country, and Vietnamese children skipped their breakfasts to save money to buy notebooks and pencils for Cuban children.

At the Vietnamese Embassy in Havana, President Sang hosted a meeting with Cuban friends who worked, joined fights and made great contributions to the national resistance cause. A female reporter, who is the last reporter to interview President Ho Chi Minh before he passed away, recounted her memories of the resilience of Hanoians against air strikes from the Americans. She noted this was the most meaningful period in her life and journalism career.

Another delegate also recounted memories of Vietnam and ended the story speaking in Vietnamese, saying that the Vietnamese and Cubans are blood brothers.

Concluding the meeting, President Sang expressed his deep gratitude to Cuban people's support to Vietnam and gave his best wishes to the Caribbean people.

Bilateral friendship and all-round co-operation have seen positive outcomes. As Fidel Castro said, the Vietnam-Cuba relationship is an exemplary international tie in the modern world. Vietnam has deeply integrated into the world, becoming a trustworthy friend and partner of all countries. Despite any circumstances or changes, their bilateral relations will never change.

An official welcome ceremony for President Sang was held at the Museum of the Revolution. It was said that right after a bilateral meeting with US President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the UN Summit, President Castro flew home to receive and hold talks with President Sang and his entourage.

The talks lasted twice as long as scheduled. The two leaders focused on discussing measures to foster the comprehensive co-operation between the two countries.

President Sang expressed his delight with Cuban people's great achievements in updating the Cuban economic model and successes on the diplomatic front, creating a new era for the country.

The host appreciated the solidarity and support of Vietnam to Cuba's revolutionary cause. President Sang's visit has contributed to deepening the unity, comprehensive co-operation and mutual views of the two Parties, the two States and the two peoples. Cuba attaches importance to Vietnam's experiences and lessons learned from national construction and protection.

The two leaders left the meeting room with big smiles and joined a ceremony awarding the Jose Marti Order to the Vietnamese President.

Both sides agreed that the outcomes of their bilateral co-operation were not up to their potential, particularly in economics, trade, investment, science, technology, agriculture, fisheries, processing industry, energy, medicine, pharmaceuticals, education and training. One solution to boost economic ties is speeding up negotiations and conclusion of a new trade agreement to replace the pact signed in 1996.

Regarding multi-lateral co-operation, both countries will continue boosting collaboration and mutual support at international and multi-lateral organisations and forums in order to protect their legitimate interests, contributing to the common goal of peace, co-operation and development in the region and the world.

(Source: Nhandan Online)