Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Party, Stateand people always treasure and want to further deepen the special friendshipand comprehensive cooperation with their Cuban counterparts, a top leader has said.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam(CPV) Central Committee and State President Nguyen Phu Trong made the statementduring his phone talks on December 2 with First Secretary of the CommunistParty of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee Raul Castro.

During the talks, the two leaders exchanged views onthe two Parties, States and the Vietnam-Cuba special relationship, and discussedmeasures to further promote the bilateral relations as the two nations arecelebrating the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties (December 2, 1960 –2020).

The Cuban leader stressed that the close fraternal relationshipbetween the two Parties, States and peoples, founded by President Ho Chi Minhand Leader Fidel Castro and nurtured by generations of people and leaders of Cubaand Vietnam, will be forever exemplary relations in the contemporary world.

He affirmed that the Party, State and people of Cuba willdo their utmost to preserve, protect and transfer to future generations thisspecial relationship.

The Cuban leader congratulated Vietnam on itsachievements in the cause of “Doi moi” (renewal), especially its successes inthe fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

He expressed his sympathy with Vietnam over difficultiesand losses caused by natural disasters in the recent past, and thanked theVietnamese Party, State and people for their support and assistance to theirCuban counterparts.

Raul Castro expressed his belief that the CPV willcontinue successfully carrying out resolutions set by the 12th National PartyCongress and successfully hold the 13th National Party Congress.

He also briefed on the situation in Cuba and itspreparations for the organisation of the 8th National Congress of the CPC inApril 2021.

For his part, the Vietnamese leader stressed that thespecial friendship between the two Parties and nations, founded by President HoChi Minh and Leader Fidel Castro, is a valuable asset and becomes a symbol ofthe era. The Vietnamese Party, State, people and future generations will keepin mind the historical words: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed itsblood”, he said.

He expressed his sympathy with Cuba over the current difficultiesand believed that under the leadership of the CPC, led by beloved comrade RaulCastro, the fraternal Cuban people will overcome all difficulties and challenges.

Vietnam is willing to stand side by side with Cuba duringthe process of the Updating of the Cuban Social and Economic Model and share its successes and shortcomings during the process of renewal over thepast 35 years, he said.

Vietnam will also spare no effort to surpassdifficulties to maintain and develop economic, trade and investment ties withCuba, especially in the supply of food and cooperation in food production inCuba, he added.

Having spoke highly of the efficiency of bilateralcooperation mechanisms, such as theoretical workshops between the CPV and theCPC, the Inter-government  CooperationCommittee; the political consultation between the two Ministries of ForeignAffairs and policy dialogues between the two Ministries of National Defence,the Vietnamese leader expressed his hope that the two sides will continuepromote these mechanisms so as to develop bilateral relations in a moreintensive and stable manner./.