Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam and Cuba released a 12-point joint statement on the occasion of Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s official friendship visit to Cuba from September 18-20 at the invitation of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez.

The statement noted that the Vietnamese State leader held talks with his Cubancounterpart, while had meetings with President of the National Assembly of thePeople’s Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández and Prime Minister Manuel MarreroCruz. The meetings took place in an atmosphere of friendship, comradeship andfraternity, a typical feature of the relationship between Vietnam and Cuba.

President Phuc also met with Cuban revolutionary leader General Raul CastroRuz, during which they highlighted the long-standing history and specialcharacteristics of the Vietnam-Cuba ties, as well as the continuity of theclose and trustful relations, mutual support and cooperation between the twocountries in the current context.

President Phuc laid wreaths at the monuments of Cuban national hero José Martíand President Ho Chi Minh. He also visited the Centre for Genetic Engineeringand Biotechnology (CIGB) in Havana and Santigo city, where he paid tribute torevolutionary heroes and laid a wreath at Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s grave.

The Cuban President presented President Phuc with the José Martí Order inrecognition of the Vietnamese leader’s contributions to the strengthening ofthe historical friendship, solitarity and cooperation between Cuba and Vietnam.

During their talks, the two leaders reviewed and shared delight at the growingties between the two countries, reaffirming the determination to acceleratebilateral special relations to a new development period on the basis of mutualpolitical trust, as well as wish to expand partnership in all fields. They alsobriefed each other on the situation in each country and discussed regional andinternational issues of mutual concern.

They underlined the special characteristics of the bilateral relationship,which has been built on the solidarity and mutual admiration as well assimilarity in ideology and principles.

Vietnam and Cuba agreed to expand, foster and further deepen their fraternalrelations, solidairity and comprehensive cooperation to make more positivecontributions to the national defence and construction in each country as wellas the stability and development in the two regions and the world as a whole.

Both sides expressed belief that future generations of both nations will remainloyal to the everlasting heritage owned between the two peoples, maintain theirsolidarity and continue to walk hand in hand in the cause of nationalconstruction and protection of socialism in each country for a fairer and moresustainable world.

The two leaders informed each other on the outcomes of the congresses of thetwo Parties earlier this year, and exchanged experience in the path of buildingsocialism on the foundation of the reality in each country.

President Phuc expressed belief that the ideology, theory and guidelinesadopted at the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC)’s congress in April will help thecountry continue maintaining development projects in the safeguarding ofsovereignty, independence, socialism, democracy, prosperity and stability.

The Vietnamese leader said that he believes under the wise leadership of theCPC, Cuba will overcome the negative effects of the blockade and embargo andcontinue its national growth for the benefits of the Cuban people.

Vietnam lauded the new Cuban revolutionary leaders inheriting the legacies leftby previous generations as well as their commitments to continue to stick tosocialism and maintain the fraternal relations and special friendship,solidarity and cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam spoke highly of the prestige and recognised contributions of Cuba tothe international solidarity in COVID-19 prevention and control. Vietnamacknowledged that despite the embargo and conditions of a developing country,Cuba has become the first and only Latin American-Caribbean country tosuccessfully develop three types of COVID-19 vaccine.

Vietnam affirmed its consistent stance of supporting the just struggle of theCuban people for immediate and unconditional end of ungrounded and unilateraleconomic, trade and financial blockage against Cuba, opposing the increase ofunilateral sanctions against the country and emphasising that these measureshave aggravated the socio-economic difficulties facing the Cuban people in thecurrent epidemic context.

First Secretary of the CPC Central Committeeand President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez highly valuedgreat attainments of historical significance that Vietnam has gained over thepast 35 years as well as the strong and comprehensive growth of Vietnam overthe recent years. Cuba believes that Vietnam will successfully implement theResolution of the 13th National Party Congress, and complete all targets set inthe socio-economic development strategy for the 2021-2030 period, he said. TheCuban leader also lauded Vietnam’s foreign policy of peace, independence,self-reliance and international integration as well as its contributions topeace, stability, cooperation and development in Asia and the world. The Cubanleader also hailed the role that Vietnam played as the ASEAN Chair in 2020 anda non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.

The two leaders concurred that amid the current situation when Vietnamcontinues to promote “Doi Moi” (Renewal) cause and Cuba continues itssocio-economic growth model update, the two countries should maintain exchangeswith both online and direct forms, focusing on major areas such as foodsecurity, cybersecurity, and communications, while keeping historical memoriesand close ties in defence-security and external relations, and continuing toincrease the exchange among ministries, sectors as well as State and Governmentagencies.

They underscored the significance of bilateral cooperation mechanisms andshared determination to enhance the efficiency of these mechanisms.

They stressed the need to promote and improve effectiveness of bilateraleconomic partnership, including the maintaining of stability and diversity ofbilateral trade. Cuba lauded Vietnam’s position as Cuba’s most importantpartner in the Asia-Pacific region, underlining that the country proritises theimprovement of business environment to attract more Vietnamese investors. Atthe same time, Cuba will consider the potential and strengths of each side toexpand collaboration in prioritised sectors. The two State leaders upheld theimportance of bilateral agreements signed during President phuc’s visit.

They also highlighted the significance of the Vietnam-Cuba partnership amidCOVID-19, describing the ties as the model of solidarity in the world andevidence of the special feature of the relations between the two Parties,States and people.

Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdezthanked Vietnam for its invaluable support to the country in the field of foodsecurity, highlighting the donation of rice and medical supplies of theVietnamese Party, State and people to the Cuban people since the outbreak ofthe pandemic.

The Vietnamese President also appreciated the State and people of Cuba fortheir help to Vietnam in the medical field by sending experts and donatingCuban biological products, and especially providing vaccines against thepandemic.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the similarity in the stances oninternational issues, affirming that international disputes need to be resolvedby peaceful means, strictly adhering to the principles of International Law andthe Charter of the United Nations.

The two sides agreed that the close bilateral relations between Vietnam andCuba would contribute to the expansion of Cuba's dialogue and cooperation withother countries and Southeast Asia, as well as between Vietnam and LatinAmerica and the Caribbean. The Vietnamese side welcomed Cuba's accession to theTreaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).

They acknowledged the role of regional and inter-regional organisations inconsolidating friendly, peaceful and cooperative relations based on mutualrespect, non-interference and respect for differences and peaceful coexistence,as stated in the Declaration of Latin America and the Caribbean as Areas ofPeace.

The two sides reaffirmed the validity of the fundamental principles of theNon-Aligned Movement (NAM); the movement’s goals, principles and role in thecurrent international context need to be thoroughly respected; as well asappreciated the movement's contributions to the defence of International Law.They also reaffirmed the commitment to promoting peace and internationalsecurity and disarmament, especially disarmament of nuclear weapons. Theywelcomed the signing and ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition ofNuclear Weapons.

The two leaders reiterated that Vietnam and Cuba continue to promoteparticipation in human rights forums at the United Nations and oppose the trendof politicisation, polarisation and discrimination against developingcountries, as well as selectivity and double standards for meddling in theinternal affairs of countries, saying that only through cooperation anddialogue on the basis of mutual respect can promote human rights for all.

Vietnam reaffirmed itssupport for efforts to resume dialogue and expand cooperation between the USand Cuba on issues of mutual concern, on the basis of equality, respect forsovereignty, independence, and political institution of each country.

The two sides will continue to support each other at internationalorganisations and multilateral forums to which they are members. They agreed onthe importance of effective implementation of the Sustainable Development Goalsand the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and continue to activelycontribute to climate change response efforts.

The two leaders highly appreciated the results of the visit, considering it amilestone of special significance. This was the first visit by a head of statesince the outbreak of the pandemic and was conducted on the occasion of the61st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

They also expressed their pride that the visit was made close to the 48thanniversary of the historic visit by Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz toVietnam in September 1973 and 55 years since President Ho Chi Minh receivedGeneral, Minister of Revolutionary Armed Forces Raul Castro Ruz in October1966.

The two leaders reaffirmed that Vietnam-Cuba solidarity will help the twocountries to achieve the dual goals of defeating the pandemic and promotingcomprehensive socio-economic development, and continue to build socialism fortheir current and future generations.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc invited First Secretary of the Communist Party andPresident of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermudez to pay an officialvisit to Vietnam and the invitation was accepted the invitation with pleasure.The visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels./.