Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang. Photo: WVR

From April 14-19, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang will lead a Vietnamese delegation on official visits to the Republic of Cuba, and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long shared the meaning and key activities of the visit, along with the economic diplomacy and people-to-people exchange efforts of the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba.

What is the purpose and significance of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang's visit to Cuba for the traditional solidarity, special friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba?

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang leads our Government delegation on an official friendship visit to Cuba.

The visit took place in the context of the traditional friendship and good cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba continuing to be strengthened and consolidated.

The comprehensive cooperative relationship and mutual trust between Vietnam and Cuba is increasingly developed and expanded in all fields, demonstrated through the results achieved during mutual visits in recent times.

The two countries maintain close cooperation and support each other at international organizations and multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations.

Vietnam continues to support Cuba in food security, implementing agricultural, seafood and animal feed production cooperation projects in Cuba. Vietnam is steadfast in its stance calling on the US to end the siege and embargo, and remove Cuba from the list of countries sponsoring terrorism.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang's visit to Cuba is a continuation of high-level visits and contacts between the two countries.

It affirms the consistent policy of our Party and Government to continue to deepen the special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Cuba.

It also expresses that Vietnam shares the economic challenges and difficulties, and supports Cuba with specific measures through agricultural cooperation and rice export, contributing to stabilizing the socio-economic situation and food security in Cuba.

Ambassador Le Quang Long presents a copy of the Letter of Credentials to Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Anayansi Rodriguez Camejo. Photo: Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba

Vietnam is currently Cuba's second-largest Asian trade partner, but bilateral trade exchange is still modest. What activities has the Embassy undertaken to further promote potential economic and trade cooperation between the two countries?

Vietnam is currently the Asian country investing the most in the Mariel Special Development Zone, Cuba with six projects from three enterprises including Thai Binh, Viglacera and Agri VMA.

Cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba is being implemented in all fields.

However, bilateral trade exchange is still at a modest level, not commensurate with the inherent special political and friendship relations. In 2021, bilateral trade exchange reached US$261.7 million, in 2022, it reached US$181.1 million, in 2023, it dropped sharply to US$57.33 million.

This is mainly due to differences in mechanisms between the two countries and the solvency of Cuban businesses.

However, Vietnam and Cuba still have much room and potential for economic, trade and investment cooperation.

Therefore, the Party and State leaders of the two countries create favorable conditions to gradually improve cooperation in these fields to the level of a close and trusting political relationship.

The Embassy has proposed and recommended economic content during bilateral visits of leaders at all levels, especially high-level ones, to strengthen political and economic relations with Cuba.

The Embassy encouraged ministries/sectors of the two countries to complete the legal basis and cooperation projects and coordinated to promote the implementation of signed agreements.

In addition, the Embassy accompanied Vietnamese businesses in exploring investment and business opportunities in Cuba, contacted leaders of Cuban ministries/sectors and localities to propose solving difficulties for Vietnamese businesses.

The Vietnamese community in Cuba always contributes to the strong friendship between the two countries. What are some friendly activities and events that the Vietnamese community in Cuba has implemented?

In recent times, the Embassy has responded and participated in friendship activities organized by local ministries, branches, and socio-political organizations, in coordination with the diplomatic missions in Cuba, typically the annual bonfire of friendship (FOGATA).

At the event, the Vietnamese community contributed cultural and artistic performances and introduced traditional dishes to promote the culture, country, and people of Vietnam to Cuban people and international friends.

This contributes to strengthening people-to-people exchanges, and cohesion in the Vietnamese community in Cuba.

In addition, Vietnamese businesses in Cuba always accompany and support the government and people of Cuban localities, organizing many donations and charity programs to help overcome difficulties caused by natural disasters and epidemics.

These meaningful activities have strengthened and deepened the Vietnam-Cuba relationship.

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