The Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Governmental Committee convened its 36th meeting in Havana on November 29 with the determination to continue strengthening and diversifying bilateral economic and trade ties.
Vietnamese Construction Minister Pham Hong Ha (R) shakes hands with Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz (Photo: VNA)
Havana (VNA) – The Vietnam-CubaInter-Governmental Committee convened its 36th meeting in Havana on November 29with the determination to continue strengthening and diversifying bilateraleconomic and trade ties.
The event was co-chaired by Cuban Minister ofForeign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz and Vietnamese ConstructionMinister Pham Hong Ha.
Speaking at the event, Minister Diaz said bothsides are working hard to update their economic-trade cooperation roadmap for2019.
He added that with their special politicalrelations as a foundation, reflected by General Secretary of the CommunistParty of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to Cuba in March2018 and President Miguel Diaz Canel Bermudez’s visit to Vietnam in October2018, both sides are looking to lift two-way trade to 500 million USD in thecoming years.
Minister Ha highlighted healthcare andagricultural cooperation as promising fields that need to be tapped in order totighten bilateral economic and trade links.
He called for measures to create favourableconditions for investors who are keen to launch projects in Cuba, includingVietnam’s projects in the Mariel Special Development Zone.
The same day, Ha held a working session withCuban Vice President of the Council of Ministers Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz. Bothsides highlighted the progress made in bilateral ties in recent years, notablythe new trade agreement signed during Cuban President Miguel Diaz Canel’s visitto Vietnam and various agriculture projects of note. –VNA
President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Mario Diaz-Canel Bermudez and his spouse concluded their three-day official friendship visit to Vietnam on November 10 at the invitation of the President and Prime Minister of Vietnam.
The fourth theoretical symposium between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) opened in Havana, Cuba on November 14.
ViMariel S.A – a subsidiary of Vietnam Glass and Ceramics for Construction Corporation (Viglacera) – began construction of the first industrial park in Mariel Special Economic Development Zone (ZEDM) in Cuba on November 28.
A delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence visited Cuba from November 25 to 28 to strengthen the friendship between the two countries, including between their armed forces.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
Vietnamese Construction Minister Pham Hong Ha (R) shakes hands with Cuban Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz (Photo: VNA) 
