Díaz-Canel Visit Confirms Priority of Vietnam-Cuba Ties

The official visit that concluded this Tuesday by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party (PCC) and Cuban President, Miguel Díaz-Canel, demonstrated the priority and high regard both parties attach to the bilateral strategic relationship.

This was reflected in the Joint Declaration issued in Hanoi, which also reaffirmed “the spirit of international solidarity, constant support, and the willingness to continue cooperating and contributing to the development of Vietnam and Cuba in the new period.”

Vietnam, the document emphasized, reaffirmed its consistent solidarity and firm support for the creative resistance efforts of the Party, State, and people of Cuba to overcome current difficulties and challenges, and expressed its willingness to continue accompanying, supporting, and cooperating with Cuba to the extent of its capacity.

Referring to the official discussions between Díaz-Canel and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), To Lam, the document noted that both leaders expressed satisfaction with the sound development of political relations and cooperation at all levels and in all fields.

In particular, the declaration highlighted the implementation of the agreements reached by the senior leaders of both Parties and States during To Lam’s visit to Cuba in September 2024.

The interlocutors praised the positive initial results in strategic sectors, especially the pilot models for rice cultivation, the Photovoltaic Solar Energy Complex project in Cuba, and the establishment of a joint venture for the production of pharmaceutical and biotechnology products.

Both parties committed to supporting the creation of favorable conditions and stimulating the development of new cooperation models, adapted to the characteristics and potential of research centers, training institutions, and enterprises.

Additionally, they agreed to expand the presence and participation of scientific institutions and companies from both countries in the socio-economic development of Cuba and Vietnam, particularly in high-potential strategic areas such as agriculture and agricultural processing, new energy, pharmaceuticals, and biotechnology.

Both sides highly valued the outcomes of the 42nd Session of the Intergovernmental Commission for Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, and agreed to assign relevant ministries and local authorities the task of promoting and deepening existing cooperation mechanisms and agreements.

They also agreed to expand cooperation in potential areas, including investment in priority sectors such as agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical services, energy, telecommunications, tourism, and digital transformation.

They further requested that the relevant authorities of both countries increase exchanges and coordination to eliminate difficulties and obstacles, and maximize the benefits of the Vietnam-Cuba Trade Agreement to raise and diversify trade volume.

Vietnam reaffirmed its firm support for “the just cause of the Cuban people against the unilateral, unjustified economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States,” and called for its immediate and unconditional lifting, as well as the removal of Cuba from the unilateral list of State Sponsors of Terrorism.