HCM City (VNA) - General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam met with Salvador Valdes Mesa, Politburo member of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) and Vice President of Cuba, in Ho Chi Minh City on April 30 right after the solemn celebration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification (April 30, 1975 - 2025).

Lam respectfully extended his regards and thanks to leaders of the Cuban Party and State for sending a high-ranking delegation to Vietnam to share the joy with the Party, State and people of Vietnam during these historic April days, especially as the two countries are celebrating the 65th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations later this year (December 2, 1960 - 2025).

He emphasised that Vietnam always treasures and remembers the solidarity and sincere support, both spiritual and material, that Cuba has given Vietnam in the past struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as in the current cause of national defence and construction. The loyal friendship and special cooperation between the two countries are a valuable asset that the two countries need to preserve, promote and pass on to future generations, the Party chief said.

The General Secretary recalled his good impressions as well as special sentiments that the Cuban Party, State and people had reserved for him and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation during his state visit to Cuba in September 2024.

He said that the Party, State and people of Vietnam sympathise and share the difficulties and challenges that Cuba is facing, and affirmed their determination to accompany and be ready to do everything within their capacity to support Cuba. Lam believed that under the wise leadership of the CPC, the heroic Cuban people will overcome all difficulties and continue to reap many new achievements in the cause of building socialism in the Western Hemisphere.

Salvador Mesa said he was delighted and honoured to visit Vietnam again on the occasion of the anniversary of the great victory of the Vietnamese people. He respectfully conveyed the warm greetings of First Secretary of the CPC, President of Cuba Miguel Diaz Canel, and General Raúl Castro to General Secretary To Lam and leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State.

He congratulated Vietnam on successfully organising the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification, which was shared and congratulated by the international community. The Victory on April 30, 1975 was a victory of justice and conscience, and it was the victory of not only the Vietnamese people but also of all peace-loving people in the world, including the brotherly Cuban people, Salvador Mesa stressed.

The Cuban leader shared his impression of the great festival of the entire Vietnamese nation, saying that he could clearly feel the exciting, joyful atmosphere and the people's firm belief in the correct leadership of the Vietnamese Party and State after 50 years of liberation, believing that this is an important foundation for Vietnam to build the great national solidarity bloc and gather national strength to successfully achieve the goal of becoming a developed, high-income country.

The Vice President highly appreciated the great achievements that the Vietnamese people under the correct leadership of the CPV have achieved in the past time, believing that Vietnam will continue to achieve more positive results in the cause of national construction and development, effectively implementing the policies and guidelines recently approved by the CPV Central Committee headed by General Secretary To Lam.

In an atmosphere of comradeship and brotherhood, the two leaders expressed their joy at witnessing the continuous enhancement of the traditional solidarity, special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the Parties, States and people of the two countries, especially in strategic and priority areas such as rice production, seafood exploitation, renewable energy and biotechnology.

The two sides also discussed a number of measures to further promote bilateral economic cooperation to make it more substantive and effective, with the determination to bring trade and investment ties to be on par with their good political relations./.