Vietnam-Cuba: Model in international relations

(Chinhphu.vn) - According to Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam and Cuba, although half a world apart, the traditional solidarity, special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba have become a model in international relations.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang answers press interviews

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang recently gave an interview to the press on the occasion of the State visit to Vietnam by First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Republic of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez.

Steadfastly overcome all challenges

The relationship between Vietnam and Cuba can be considered a model in international relations. According to the Deputy Minister, what are the pillars that have helped this relationship not only be maintained but also become increasingly stronger?

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang: Vietnam and Cuba, although half a world apart, the traditional solidarity, special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba have become a model in international relations. From the first bricks laid by Cuban National Hero José Martí, President Ho Chi Minh , Cuban Leader Fidel Castro and nurtured by many generations of leaders and people of the two countries, that relationship has been forged through the ups and downs of history and remains strong to this day as its inherent nature.

Over the past 65 years, cooperation between the two countries has been widely implemented at all levels, channels and fields, with three main pillars, including politics - diplomacy as the foundation, economy - trade - investment as the driving force and people-to-people exchange as the glue. In terms of politics - diplomacy, the two sides regularly maintain high-level delegation exchanges and contacts. In particular, the State visit to Cuba by General Secretary and President To Lam in September 2024 is considered a historic milestone, opening a new phase of the special relationship between the two countries. Bilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the Theoretical Workshop between the two Parties, the Intergovernmental Committee, the Inter-Parliamentary Forum, the Political Consultation between the two Foreign Ministries, etc. have practically contributed to the political trust between the two countries.

In the fields of economics, trade and investment, Vietnam is currently Cuba's second largest trading partner and largest investor from the Asia-Pacific region. Practical actions to support Cuba in ensuring food security through many cooperation projects on rice, corn, and seafood production have been recognized and highly appreciated by the Cuban people and international friends. The first harvest in 2025 of the Vietnam-Cuba rice development cooperation project achieved an impressive yield of 7.2 tons/ha, 4.5 times higher than the local average. The two countries also signed a cooperation agreement to implement the "Technical assistance project to enhance capacity for law-making and enforcement in Cuba", which is Vietnam's first institutional technical assistance project for a foreign country, deepening the legislative and judicial cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba. People-to-people exchange cooperation has been promoted with many activities to foster friendship, solidarity, and loyalty between the people of the two countries.

Most recently, Vietnam launched a nationwide campaign “65 years of Vietnam-Cuba friendship” to raise funds to support the Cuban people to overcome current difficulties, and we are extremely proud and moved to witness the great affection and support of the Vietnamese people for the Cuban people. With pure, sincere, loyal feelings, with special trust and the spirit of solidarity and mutual support, it can be strongly affirmed that the special relationship between Vietnam and Cuba is constantly being nurtured, consolidated and developed comprehensively, for the benefit of the people of the two countries, for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the regions and in the world.

Based on the foundations built by generations of leaders and people of the two countries, could the Deputy Minister share some directions to promote and further deepen Vietnam - Cuba relations in the coming time?

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang: First and foremost, Vietnam and Cuba will continue to preserve, inherit and promote the precious common assets that generations of leaders and people of the two countries have worked hard to build and cultivate. That is the traditional solidarity, special friendship, deep and sincere attachment like brothers of one family, Vietnam and Cuba. The steadfast and close affection between the two countries will be a strong driving force to promote cooperation between the two countries more and more deeply.

On the basis of signed documents and agreements, especially the results of the State visit to Cuba by General Secretary and President To Lam (September 2024), the two parties and two countries will continue to promote cooperation in all fields, especially important fields such as politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, agriculture, energy, people-to-people exchange, education, health, etc.; implementing with focus and key points with the motto of accompanying, cooperating, and developing together not only in the year "Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Year 2025" but also in the following years.

Specifically, the two sides will promote visits, delegation exchanges, high-level and all-level contacts, especially through the Party channel, effectively promote bilateral cooperation mechanisms at all channels; enhance exchanges between departments, ministries, sectors, localities and business communities of the two countries. In the coming time, Vietnam and Cuba will also continue the tradition of close coordination and mutual support at multilateral organizations and forums.

Vietnam and Cuba will further exploit the potential for economic, trade and investment cooperation; continue to promote the effectiveness of agricultural cooperation, especially in rice production, aquaculture, corn processing, etc. Along with that, the two countries will increase experience sharing and close coordination in the fields of biotechnology, green technology development, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, construction, tourism, digital transformation, etc. to meet the requirements of sustainable development of the two countries and respond to global challenges.

During the “Vietnam – Cuba Friendship Year 2025”, Vietnam and Cuba have been enhancing people-to-people exchange activities, so that people of the two countries, especially the young generation, can better understand the meaning and importance of the special relationship between Vietnam and Cuba; and to nurture and educate the young generation of the two countries to always cherish, preserve and further develop the exemplary and loyal relationship between the two peoples.

The world and the region are experiencing rapid and complex changes, affecting the security and development of many countries. However, despite the changes in the world situation, the Vietnam - Cuba relationship has always steadfastly overcome all challenges, constantly developing in both breadth and depth, contributing to the just cause of the two peoples.

Special Vietnam-Cuba relationship

Does the Deputy Minister have any special message about his visit to the Cuban people and those who admire the special and lasting relationship between our two countries?

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang: President Ho Chi Minh once said: “Vietnam and Cuba are thousands of miles apart, but the hearts of the two peoples are as close as brothers in one family.” President Ho Chi Minh’s words remain valid today. With similarities in historical circumstances and goals of struggle, this creates a special bond between Vietnam and Cuba, especially the indomitable spirit and deep patriotism of both peoples.

In recent days, in the heroic atmosphere of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and Vietnam's National Day (September 2), historical images of the immortal words of Leader Fidel Castro at the rally at Revolution Square in La Habana on January 2, 1966 "For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to sacrifice its blood!" have been shared by the young generation of Vietnam, creating a special effect on the relationship between the two countries. This is a clear demonstration of the steadfast loyalty that the Vietnamese people have always shown to Cuba and the noble gestures that Cuba has shown to Vietnam in the most difficult times. This story is one of many touching and inspiring stories about the special and lasting relationship between the two countries.

The two countries have gone through the ups and downs of history together, cultivating a rare, exemplary symbol of international solidarity, pure and loyal, overcoming geographical limits and the test of time. It can be affirmed that the solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba is limitless; Cuba's support for Vietnam and Vietnam's support for Cuba is limitless.

In the coming days, First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez will pay a State visit to Vietnam. This once again affirms that the solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba continues to be a torch illuminating the path of cooperation and development for the legitimate interests of each country, contributing to the common efforts for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world./.

An Binh

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/viet-nam-cuba-hinh-mau-trong-quan-he-quoc-te-102250830092504824.htm