Hanoi (VNA) – Seven incumbent andformer leaders of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) and its agencies havebeen honoured with orders and medals of the Cuban State for their significantcontributions to the relations between the two countries as well as theirlegislative bodies.

President of the National Assembly of People's Powerof Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez on September 27 presented the National Order ofMerit Carlos Manuel de Cespedes to NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

The Cuban leader also handed over the Order of AnnaBetancourt to former NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, and the Order ofSolidarity to Permanent Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man and former Vice ChairwomanTong Thi Phong.

NA Vice Chairman Tran Quang Phuong, NA General Secretaryand Chairman of the NA Office Bui Van Cuong, and Chairman of the NA Committeefor Foreign Affairs Vu Hai Ha, who is also President of the Vietnam-CubaFriendship Parliamentarians’ Group, were honoured with the Friendship Medal ofCuba.

Addressing the function, Hue stressed that it is thehonour of not only the individuals but also the Vietnamese NA, people andgenerations of NA leaders to receive such orders and medals.

The 50th anniversary of Cuban leader Fidel Castro’strip to the newly liberated zone in Quang Tri province this year offers anopportunity for the two countries to honour their fraternity, specialfriendship and comprehensive cooperation, he went on.

The Vietnamese legislature and people are resolvedto work together with their Cuban counterparts to cultivate the specialrelationship, he affirmed, expressing his firm belief that the Cuban people willovercome all challenges to reap greater achievements in the time ahead.

At his meeting with Hernandezearlier the same day, Hue emphasised that the Vietnamese Party, State and peoplealways treasure and wish to further tighten the solidarity, friendship andtime-honoured cooperation with their Cuban counterparts.

The host suggested the two sides stepup their coordination at multilateral forums such as the Inter-ParliamentaryUnion (IPU) and other multilateral parliamentary organisations, and supporteach other’s stance on regional and international issues of shared concern.

Both leaders spoke highly of all-leveldelegation exchanges between the two countries and their legislative bodiesover the past time, saying after Hue’s official visit to Cuba in April, manyagreements between ministries, agencies and businesses of the two countrieshave been rolled out.

To boost the legislative ties in the coming time,the two sides will continue with mutual visits, especially those by friendship parliamentarians’ groups, and NA agencies.

The leaders agreed to organise the meeting of theinter-parliamentary committee next year.

Both shared the view that Vietnam and Cuba shouldenhance collaboration in economy, trade and investment.

Hernandez stressed Cuba attachesimportance to promoting economic, trade and investment ties with Vietnam, sayingCuba wishes to welcome Vietnamese businesses to visit and scope out investmentopportunities in the Caribbean nation.

The Economic Affairs Committee of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba alsowishes to welcome a delegation from its Vietnamese counterpart to Cuba to exchange working experience, he said.

Huepledged that Vietnam will continue its support to Cuba in ensuring foodsecurity, and suggested the two sides further tap their potential, and identifykey cooperation areas.

Theleaders consented that the two countries should enhance cooperation in agriculture,health care and biology./.