Vietnam’s top legislator meets with Vice President of Cuba

Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on September 13 received the First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba, Salvados Valdes Mesa, who was in Vietnam to attend celebrations for the 45th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro visiting the liberated area in southern Vietnam in September 1973.

Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) meets with the First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba, Salvados Valdes Mesa, on September 13 (Photo: VNA)
Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) meets with the First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba, Salvados Valdes Mesa, on September 13 (Photo: VNA)

Chairwoman Ngan said the visit to the liberated area in Quang Tri province by Fidel Castro in 1973 showed the Cuban people’s solidarity and precious support for Vietnam’s struggle for national reunification. Back then, it became a symbol of the faithful and forever young Vietnam-Cuba relations, as well as international support for Vietnam.

Highlighting the significance of the visit’s 45th anniversary, First Vice President Mesa repeated the immortal saying “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to devote its blood” of Fidel Castro during his trip regarding his nation’s sincere wish to help with Vietnam’s rebuilding efforts.

He also spoke highly of the growing parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, which can been seen in the regular mutual visits at all levels, including an official trip to Vietnam by President of the Cuban National Assembly Esteban Lazo Hernandez in 2017. He took this occasion to thank his host for organising so many activities to enhance the unity with and support for Cuba.

Mesa added that during the visit, he met with leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam to discuss issues of shared concern, including the implementation of signed agreements, as well as to propose fields for cooperation to be expanded such as aviation, health care, pharmaceuticals, solar energy, and agriculture.

At the meeting, Chairwoman Ngan expressed her delight at the important achievements Cuba had attained, in particular updating the economic model in such areas as education and health care. She also applauded the country’s amendment of its constitution and supported her guest’s proposal that Vietnam will share its lawmaking experience with Cuba.

The visiting official also agreed with the Vietnamese legislative leader that for the time ahead, the two sides should maintain and improve the effectiveness of dialogue mechanisms and theoretical and experience exchanges, while reinforcing collaboration at international organisations and multilateral forums, thereby strengthening the countries’ solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.