Cuba expressed deep gratitude for Vietnam's support and solidarity in its current situation, including support for Cuba in international forums, rice donation and supply, as well as agricultural expertise to help the Caribbean country develop its food and fisheries production.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Cuba's Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez. Photos: Hai Minh

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba Bruno Rodriguez stressed the view during a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang on April 15, during the Vietnamese official's April 14-19    visit to the country.

At the meeting, Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez welcomed Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and the Vietnamese government delegation to Cuba. He emphasized the significance and importance of this visit for the brotherly relationship between Vietnam and Cuba, especially in the current complex global context, which requires even stronger solidarity and cooperation between the two nations.

Minister Bruno Rodriguez expressed confidence that Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang's visit would contribute to the continued effective implementation of high-level agreements between the two countries' leaderships and mark a new milestone in the history of traditional Vietnam-Cuba relations.

For his part, Quang expressed his pleasure at his first visit to Cuba and his meeting with the Cuban Foreign Minister. He congratulated both countries on successfully hosting numerous important bilateral events, such as the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated southern region of Vietnam (September 1973 - September 2023) and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of the Committee for Solidarity with South  Vietnam, the predecessor of the current Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Association (September 25, 1963 - September 25, 2023). He also highlighted the visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Cuba in April 2023 and the visit of his Cuban counterpart to Vietnam in September 2023, acknowledging these events' contributions to deepening understanding, attachment, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations.

Overview of the meeting.

The Deputy Prime Minister praised Cuba's significant achievements despite facing numerous challenges due to the embargo and sanctions. He reaffirmed Vietnam's consistent stance of solidarity and support for Cuba, opposing and calling for an end to all forms of blockade and sanctions against Cuba.

“Vietnam continues to have faith in Cuba's indomitable tradition of heroism and believes it will overcome difficulties and challenges and achieve even greater accomplishments in its noble cause,” said Quang.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed each country's situation and reviewed and evaluated areas of cooperation. They exchanged ideas and measures to further deepen and broaden the comprehensive friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba.

Both sides agreed to continue coordinating closely to prepare for high-level visits and meetings, maximize existing dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, increase delegation exchanges between ministries, local governments, and business communities of both countries, and seek solutions to promote trade, investment relations, and cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as agriculture, construction, education-health, pharmaceuticals, science and technology, culture and sports, and people-to-people exchanges.

The two parties also discussed regional and international issues of common concern and agreed to maintain close coordination and mutual support in international organizations and multilateral forums of which Vietnam and Cuba are members, particularly the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement.

They also shared a common stance peaceful settlement of international disputes, based on respect for international law and the United Nations Charter.