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| First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba Gerardo Peñalver Portal gives an interview to The Gioi Va Viet Nam Newspaper. (Photo: Anh Tuan) |
First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba Gerardo Peñalver Portal affirmed this in an interview with The Gioi va Viet Nam Newspaper on July 24 during his visit to Vietnam and chairing the eighth Political Consultation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Deputy Minister said that the ideology and career of Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro Ruz and President Ho Chi Minh laid the foundation for that relationship and this relationship continues to be strengthened by the leaders of both countries. The responsibility of the next generation is to preserve and enrich that relationship for future generations of the two countries and two peoples. The year 2025 was chosen by the leaders of the two countries as the Vietnam - Cuba Friendship Year, the occasion to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, an opportunity to honor that special heritage together.
The Cuban diplomat affirmed that the potential for the development of bilateral relations is enormous. Based on the solid foundation of this exemplary relationship, the two sides are committed to continuing to build a comprehensive, effective, substantive and sustainable cooperative relationship. “Nothing can hinder the aspirations of the two Parties, the two States and the two peoples in reaching new heights in mutually beneficial integration and strengthening confidence in the future of our peoples,” he emphasized.
Gifts and sharing
Through political aspirations, historical brotherhood and a shared vision of sustainable development, the two countries have cemented an exemplary alliance, forged during the struggle for independence and today nurtured by active cooperation in key areas such as agriculture, renewable energy and health…
According to Nhan Dan newspaper, economic cooperation between the two countries has made remarkable progress. Since the Bilateral Trade Agreement officially took effect in April 2020, trade turnover between the two sides has increased sharply. In the first eight months of 2024 alone, the total turnover reached 134.7 million USD, an increase of 187% over the same period in 2023. The agreement not only contributes to tariff reduction but also creates conditions to promote the diversification of products and services.
Vietnam has become the largest Asian investor in Cuba, with at least seven projects in operation, totaling more than $160 million in committed capital, mainly concentrated in the Mariel Special Development Zone. Companies such as Thai Binh Cooperation, Viglacera and Agri VMA have invested in diverse areas such as diaper production, construction materials, fertilizers, pharmaceuticals and solar energy.
One of the most typical examples of cooperation is in rice production. Vietnam not only shares technology but also sends experienced technical experts to support. Within the framework of the bilateral agricultural cooperation project implemented over the past 10 years, more than 4,700 hectares of rice fields have been renovated with laser technology, nearly 6,000 km of canals and intra-field roads have also been upgraded. Cuba has received 25 Vietnamese rice varieties, some of which are in the process of registering the “ViBa” trademark.
These advances are concrete steps to help Cuba achieve food sovereignty and reduce its dependence on imports. In addition, there are projects in coffee, corn and aquaculture, in which Vietnam provides seeds, experience and management models. Notably, coffee yield in Cuba reaches 5 tons/ha, far exceeding the global average.
In the field of health, the solidarity between the two peoples is even more evident in difficult times. During the Covid-19 pandemic, Vietnam was one of the first countries to purchase 5 million doses of Cuba's Abdala vaccine and also received an additional 150,000 doses in September 2021, demonstrating the brotherhood between the two governments.
In addition to vaccines, the two countries have implemented joint projects in biotechnology and pharmaceutical production, including technology transfer, human resource training and clinical trials. Cuban doctors have worked in hospitals in Vietnam such as the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital in Quang Binh and private medical facilities such as Vinmec, contributing to improving the quality of medical services and strengthening the connection between medical professionals of the two countries.
The Cuban diplomat affirmed his deep gratitude for the generous gifts that Vietnam has given to Cuba, especially rice, as a clear expression of solidarity and support from the brotherly Vietnamese people.
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| Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long and experts visit rice fields in Cuba. (Source: VNA) |
Positive cooperation prospects
Discussing the future direction of cooperation, the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba proposed three main priorities:
First, diversify and modernize economic cooperation. The two countries need to increase bilateral investment in areas such as renewable energy, telecommunications, pharmaceutical industry and food production, taking advantage of the complementarity in the economic structure. Vietnam has technological potential and financial capacity; while Cuba has high-quality human resources and can be a gateway to the Latin American market. The Mariel Special Development Zone will play a key role in this process.
Second, strengthen scientific and agro-industrial cooperation. The Los Palacios rice project in Pinar del Río province has helped triple productivity in some areas of Cuba, demonstrating the remarkable effectiveness of technical cooperation. This model should be replicated in other areas such as coffee, corn and aquaculture to enhance food security. In addition, cooperation programs in biotechnology, researcher exchanges and technology transfer should be strengthened.
Third, promote people-to-people and youth exchanges. To maintain the special friendship, it is important to increase academic, cultural and youth exchanges. Cooperation between universities, two-way scholarships, art exchange programs and joint historical commemoration activities will help the younger generation understand and appreciate the strong ties between the two countries - as promoted by President Ho Chi Minh and Leader Fidel Castro.
Solidarity, companionship and solidarity
In his message to the Vietnamese people, Deputy Minister Gerardo Peñalver Portal emphasized that the beautiful history that connects the people and the cultural richness that both nations possess should be appreciated and enjoyed more by the current generations of Cuba and Vietnam. Despite the geographical distance and language differences, the two sides need to find new ways to increase exchanges.
“It is our responsibility to create more favorable conditions for travel agencies, tourism companies and airlines to help shorten the distance, so that people of the two countries can truly experience each other’s people, culture and nature. Dances, music, literary works, films and other forms of art from each country should be widely and regularly introduced,” he emphasized.
The Cuban diplomat believes that Vietnam will achieve its development goals. This belief stems from the impressive results after four decades of renovation as well as the strong determination that the Party, State and people of Vietnam are demonstrating in restructuring the political system, applying science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as driving forces for socio-economic development.
Despite the unstable and complex international context, Vietnam has demonstrated its outstanding capacity in responding to global challenges, while firmly protecting its sovereignty, independence and self-determination, and persistently pursuing the path of socialist development.
First Deputy Minister Gerardo Peñalver Portal affirmed that, just as in the heroic years when the Cuban people were willing to sacrifice their blood for Vietnam according to the words of Leader Fidel Castro, in the current era of development, Cuba will always be a solid support, a loyal and united companion of Vietnam. Above all, he expressed his greatest desire to promote a deeper and wider presence of Vietnam in Cuba and Cuba in Vietnam.
Like a red thread running through history, the Vietnam-Cuba relationship continues to be an exemplary symbol of international solidarity. Each step forward in cooperation today not only adds to the history of faithful friendship between the two peoples, but also opens up new horizons for sustainable development in a world that is constantly changing.
Source: https://baoquocte.vn/khat-vong-cua-mot-nguoi-ban-cuba-323027.html
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