Cuba to enhance experience exchange with Vietnam: official

Cuba wishes to regularly exchange experience with Vietnam to promote socialism in their respective nations, said Politburo member and Vice President of the Cuban State Council Lazara Mercedes Lopez Acea.

She made the remark during talks on June 16 with Vietnamese Politburo member Pham Quang Nghi, who led a delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) on an official visit to Cuba.

The host, who is also the Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC)’s Havana Committee, reviewed the progress in the two countries’ relations.

She stressed that the Parties’ comprehensive leadership is pivotal to the success of the reform process in Vietnam and the economic model update in Cuba.

Nghi, who is also the Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee, congratulated Cuba on its updated economic model achievements and growing standing in the world.

He voiced his support for increasing exchanges of high-ranking party delegations, promoting the efficiency of inter-governmental meetings and bringing economic cooperation on par with their political relations.

At the talks, both sides highlighted the 55th founding anniversary of bilateral relations later this year and emphasised its importance to effectively implement the Parties’ cooperation agreement for the 2014-2019 period.

They committed to working closely to prepare for and organise the Parties’ third theoretical workshop and boost partnerships between Hanoi and Havana.

Also on June 16, the Vietnamese official held separate meetings with Head of the PCC’s international relations department Jose Ramon Balaguer Cabrera, Head of the PCC’s organisation and personnel department Abelardo Alvarez Gil, and Head of the PCC’s religious affairs office Caridad Diego.

The two sides briefed each other on their respective countries’ situations and discussed political, foreign, and religious issues and their coordination in organising joint activities.-

HCM City chairman meets Malaysian Consul General

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan hosted a reception for incoming Malaysian Consul General Sofian Akmal Bin Abd. Karim on June 16.

The new diplomat expressed his delight at working in the Vietnamese southern economic hub, noting that cooperation between the two countries has been thriving, especially since they agreed to work towards a strategic partnership last year.

Malaysian businesses have invested more than 5 billion USD in HCM City thus far, making the country one of the five biggest investors in the city, he added.

For his part, Chairman Quan said he hopes the Consul General will take the initiative to foster cooperation between Malaysia and Vietnam—and with HCM City in particular—for mutual benefit.

Vietnam and Malaysia established diplomatic relations in March 1973.

Party leader congratulates new President of Brazil’s Communist Party

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent a message of congratulations to Luciana Barbosa de Oliveira Santos over her election as President of the Communist Party of Brazil.

Leaders extend greetings over Iceland’s National Day

Vietnamese leaders on June 16 sent greetings to their Icelandic counterparts on the occasion of the country’s 71 st National Day (June 17).

State President Truong Tan Sang extended congratulations to President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson, while Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent his greetings to Prime Minister Sigmundur Davíð Gunnlaugsson.

On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also sent a letter of congratulations to Foreign Minister Gunnar Bragi Sveinsson.

Vietnam and Iceland established their diplomatic ties on November 15, 1996.