General Secretary To Lam met with Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, the Special Envoy of the Communist Party of Cuba and the Cuban State, who also serves as Foreign Minister, on the afternoon of 2/2 in Hanoi. During the meeting, General Secretary To Lam affirmed Vietnam's commitment to sharing expertise and implementing effective rice cooperation projects. This initiative aims to help Cuba gradually achieve food self-sufficiency. He also encouraged and facilitated Vietnamese businesses to invest in Cuba. General Secretary To Lam reiterated the consistent stance of Vietnam's Party, State, and people to always stand in solidarity with the fraternal Cuban people, while calling for the lifting of unilateral embargoes and sanctions against Cuba.

General Secretary To Lam emphasized that the Vietnamese people will never forget the words of leader Fidel Castro: "for Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its own blood." He affirmed Vietnam's readiness to support Cuba in overcoming difficulties and developing the nation. The Cuban Special Envoy, Mr. Rodriguez, affirmed that Vietnam's success is Cuba's success. He noted that Vietnam's lessons in party-building and economic development serve as a great encouragement and a most suitable reference model for the Cuban Revolution.

Both sides expressed high agreement on major directions and measures to deepen the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba, making it more practical and effective. Mr. Rodriguez stated that Cuba consistently prioritizes strengthening cooperation with Vietnam in promising sectors such as solar energy, consumer goods production, tourism, and pharmaceuticals. The two nations will also continue close coordination on international multilateral forums and educate their younger generations about the historical Vietnam-Cuba relationship to further develop this special bond.

General Secretary To Lam and Cuban Special Envoy Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla during the reception in Hanoi on the afternoon of 2/2. Photo: TTXVN

Earlier that afternoon, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also received Mr. Bruno Rodriguez. Prime Minister Chinh affirmed Vietnam's continued sharing of renewable energy development experience with Cuba to support production and the daily lives of the Cuban people. He praised Cuba's world-leading strengths in medicine and proposed enhanced cooperation, technology transfer, and joint ventures for producing vaccines, medical bioproducts, and new generation specialized medicines to supply both markets and for export.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Mr. Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla in Hanoi on the afternoon of 2/2. Photo: TTXVN

On the morning of the same day, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung held talks with Mr. Rodriguez. Minister Trung affirmed that Vietnam and Cuba will strengthen multilateral cooperation, closely coordinate positions, and support each other at important international forums. He also emphasized their shared commitment to actively and responsibly contribute to consolidating peace, stability, and development in both Southeast Asia and Latin America - Caribbean regions.

Thanh Tam