Hanoi (VNA) - State President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception in Hanoi on May3 afternoon for Roberto Morales Ojeda, Politburo member and permanent member ofthe Secretariat of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee.

Expressing his delight at the fine development of therelations between the two Parties and States, Thuong affirmed thespecial and exemplary solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba, founded by VietnamesePresident Ho Chi Minh and Cuban Leader Fidel Castro and nurtured by generationsof leaders and people of the two countries, is an invaluable asset and a greatsource of strength of the two peoples, which should be preserved and continueto grow stronger in the new situation.

He asserted that Vietnam always follows allthe difficulties and challenges facing the Cuban people caused by the tightenedembargo and consequences of recent natural disasters and fires.

He expressed his belief that with the resilientrevolutionary spirit, the sound leadership, and the great support of the Cubanpeople and international friends, the Cuban Party, State and people will gaingreater success on the road to preserving revolutionary achievements, and buildingsocialism.

For his part, Roberto Morales Ojeda affirmed that the CubanParty, State and people attach special importance to strengthening the country’sspecial solidarity with Vietnam.

He thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people forstanding by the side of Cuba and sharing with its difficulties andchallenges; and emphasised that Cuba is willing to create favourable conditionsfor Vietnamese enterprises to invest in Cuba.

He also stressed the two sides should continue toconsolidate and deepen the time-tested special friendship.

President Thuong confirmed that the Vietnamese Partyand State always attach great importance to the special friendship with Cuba,in which the relationship between the two Parties plays a role as a politicalfoundation and orientation for the comprehensive cooperation between the twocountries.

He suggested the two sides continue expanding and improvingthe efficiency of bilateral cooperation in the fields of research, review andexchange of theory and practice on innovation and socio-economic updating andsocialism building in each country; high-level delegation exchanges; and coordination and support at international forums and on global issues.

The State leader once again affirmed Vietnam's principledand consistent stance of support for the struggle for the immediate andunconditional lifting of blockade and embargo measures against Cuba.

The Vietnamese Party, State and people always accompany,share, and are ready to expand and deepen the special solidarity between thetwo Parties, States and peoples, he added./.