Havana (VNA)🐓 – Parliamentary cooperation have contributed significantly to the Vietnam – Cuba relationship over the years, stated President Tran Dai Quang at his meeting with Esteban Lazo, President of the Cuban National Assembly of People's Power in Havana on November 16 (Cuba time).

He requested the two legislatures to continue supporting and monitoring the implementation of agreements made by the two governments, thus improving outcomes of joint projects, particularly in trade-commerce, investment, security-defence and diplomatic activities. Hailing recent socio-economic achievements of Cuba, President Quang reiterated that Vietnam persistently supports the revolutionary cause of the Cuban people. He conveyed the invitation to visit Vietnam from National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to his host. For his part, Esteban Lazo affirmed that Cuba always attaches importance to valuable experiences Vietnam gained during its 30 years of renewal and is looking forwards to reinforcing ties between the two parties, states, national assemblies and peoples. He expressed his wish to visit Vietnam in 2017 to tighten solidarity and cooperation between the two national assemblies and peoples. The same day, President Quang met with Ricardo Cabrisas, Vice Chairman of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Economy and Planning. Ricardo Cabrisas briefed the President on Cuba’s socio-economic strategy to 2030 approved at the 7th Congress of the Communist Party of Cuba in April this year, stressing the country’s persistence in following the model of planned economy. Cuba appreciates Vietnam’s effective assistance in boosting food production capacity and developing the local fishery and coffee sectors, he said. The Cuban official noted his country wants to engage in more trade and investment projects with Vietnam and welcomed Vietnamese investors to operate in Cuba. The Vietnamese President said the two governments should closely work to implement their joint activities and cooperative mechanism. Quang said he looking forwards to the upcoming 34th meeting of the Vietnam-Cuba inter-governmental committee, which will review collaboration outcomes and set out new tasks in realisation of the bilateral trade cooperation programme for the medium term signed in 2014. He expected the Cuban Government to facilitate Vietnamese enterprises in the country, particularly in the sectors of telecommunications, oil and gas, tourism infrastructure, as well as construction material and consumer goods production. Both sides agreed to support each other at international organisations and multilateral forums. Also on November 16, President Quang had a meeting with leaders of the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples and Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Association. Quang praised the two agencies’ contribution to the growth of bilateral ties, saying he is confident in their joint work to educate the younger generations about the two countries’ friendship.-VNA