Strong ties: Diaz-Canel (right) and Lam shaking hands at the Revolution Palace in Havana. — Reuters
Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart To Lam in Havana, with the two countries signing several bilateral agreements during the visit.
“The world has seen many changes, but the friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba will never change,” said To Lam, 67, quoted by the Cuban presidency on X.
The two presidents on Thursday visited the commercial port of Mariel, a free trade zone about 60km from the capital, where several Vietnamese companies operate, the official press reported.
Cuba and Vietnam are among five countries worldwide that are still governed by a single Communist Party.
They differ, however, in that Hanoi has liberalised its economy while Havana has not.
Several bilateral agreements were signed during the visit, notably in the fields of health and agriculture.
A rice production programme using hybrid seeds imported from the Asian country was also announced.
Bilateral trade between the two countries is worth around US$340mil (RM1.4bil).
Vietnam exports rice, coal, chemicals, textiles and electronics to Cuba, and imports pharmaceutical products, according to the Cuban Center for International Politics Research.
Vietnam wants “Cuba to continue its sustainable development and become self-sufficient in all areas, we must help it overcome difficulties,” said Lam, addressing a delegation of Vietnamese businessmen, according to state television. — AFP
