A ceremony was held in Havana, Cuba, on Tuesday to welcome Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong who is in Cuba at the invitation of Party leader and State Council President, Raul Castro Ruz. Leaders of both countries agreed to further strengthen high-ranking meetings, increase exchanges of delegations at different levels to share experiences in socio-economic management and Party building. The visit also aims to enhance exchanges among the two peoples, and educate young generations about solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cuba. Both leaders agreed to take turns hosting seminars between the two Parties on topics of mutual concern. They highlighted the need to expand cooperation in economics, trade, and investment to match both nations’ political relations and potentials as well as intensify activities of the two inter-government commissions. Trong and Raul reached consensus on facilitating conditions for enterprises to boost investment cooperation, and prioritize areas of advantage such as oil and gas, infrastructure for tourism, agriculture, healthcare, education, telecommunications, services, and IT.

President Castro presented Party leader Trong the Order of Jose Marti, the highest distinction of the Cuban Party and People. On this occasion, Mr. Trong said the Party, state and people of Vietnam have sent the Cuban people 5,000 tons of rice as a token of the two countries’ solidarity and friendship.