Hanoi (VNA) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam’s upcoming state visit to Cuba aims to implement the foreign policy set forth at the 13th National Party Congress, reaffirming Vietnam's high regard for and desire to strengthen relations with traditional friends.

It will demonstrate the steadfast, loyal, and exemplary solidarity of the Party, State, and people of Vietnam with their Cuban counterparts, said Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and Chairman of the committee’s Commission for External Relations, in an interview granted to the press ahead of the visit.

It will also affirm that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam wish to accompany and cooperate with Cuba to continuously solidify, promote and advance their traditional solidarity and special friendship, he added.

Trung held that this is Lam's first visit to Cuba since he took office as Party General Secretary and State President, and Cuba is among the first countries he has been visiting in this role. The trip comes as both nations are preparing for the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year (1960–2025).

Over the nearly 65 years, the traditional solidarity, support, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba have continuously been nurtured, strengthened, and expanded across various fields. During Vietnam's resistance war for national liberation in the 1960s and 1970s, Cuba stood as a symbol and pioneer in the world movement of supporting Vietnam's just struggle for independence, giving Vietnam valuable and effective assistance.

For its part, Vietnam has always actively enhanced solidarity and promoted comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and nations. Leaders from both sides have repeatedly emphasised that the bilateral relationship is a "symbol of the times."

Trung said that during the visit, the top leaders of the two Parties and States will exchange and review the achievements and cooperation results between Vietnam and Cuba, while charting orientations to enhance collaboration in various areas, thereby bringing the comprehensive cooperation to a new phase of more substantial and sustainable development, benefiting the people of both nations.

Lam will hold talks and meetings with key Cuban leaders and visit several economic establishments, including those where Vietnamese enterprises have investment cooperation projects. He will meet with younger generations of both countries and pay floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh and Cuban leaders, further strengthening the bonds between the two nations.

Through the visit, Vietnam will affirm its wish to continue inheriting the precious legacies of bilateral relations, built on the strong foundations established by President Ho Chi Minh and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro. Bilateral meetings and exchanges between Party General Secretary and President To Lam and Cuban leaders will deepen mutual understanding and enhance coordination on major issues, further consolidating the traditional and special ties between the two nations.

According to Trung, Vietnam is currently Cuba's second-largest trade partner and largest investor from the Asia-Pacific region. The visit will provide both sides the opportunity to strengthen coordination in international issues for the benefit of both countries and their people.

𝓰 He expressed his belief that the visit will be a great success, making a significant contribution to enhancing the special friendship and fraternity between the two nations./.