Vietnam - Cuba relations far beyond all diplomatic, political levels: Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez at a welcome ceremony for the former in Havana on April 20, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

The Cuban official made the remark during an interview granted to the Vietnamese media ahead of a visit to Vietnam from September 24 to 28 by Politburo member and President of the NA of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez, who will also represent the Cuban Party and State leaders to attend a ceremony marking 50 years since Cuban leader Fidel Castro visited the liberated zone in South Vietnam in September 1973.

He noted that Cuba has diplomatic ties with many countries, but its relations with Vietnam are far beyond all diplomatic and political levels. They are the relations between two fraternal nations forged in the heat of their struggles against capitalism and the building of socialism.

With the fraternal solidarity founded by President Ho Chi Minh and leader Fidel Castro, the two countries can exchange opinions in an extremely straightforward and transparent manner that can hardly be seen in their relations with any other international partners, Alvarez said.

Cuba has learned much from Vietnam’s experience and appreciates Vietnam’s cooperation with it during trying times, he went on, adding that at bilateral meetings, the Southeast Asian nation has also shared similar feelings towards the Latin American nation.

During Vietnam’s resistance war against the US, Cuba set up the Committee for Solidarity with South Vietnam, helping promote international support for Vietnam’s revolutionary cause. Many years have passed, but the special solidarity between the two countries continues to be solidified and nurtured, the Secretary-General continued.

Vietnam - Cuba relations far beyond all diplomatic, political levels: Cuban Commander-in-chief Fidel Castro (front, second from left) and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Van Dong (front, fourth from left) visit Dong Ha township of Quang Tri in September 1973. (Photo: VNA)

The Cuban official said that the Cuban people still keep in mind the image of Fidel Castro visiting the liberated zone in Quang Tri in September 1973. There, the Cuban leader passed Parallel 17, the provisional military demarcation line between North and South Vietnam, and held aloft the flag of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam. It was a significant event in the traditional fraternal ties between the two countries and also marked a stride in the rare special bilateral relations.

According to him, the trip by President of the Cuban NA Esteban Lazo is another contribution to the friendship between the two peoples, Parties, and States, following many mutual visits by the countries’ leaders.

During the trip, the Cuban NA President will have meetings with key leaders of Vietnam so as to seek ways for keeping strengthen legislative ties, along with economic and trade cooperation which should be elevated on par with political relations.

In addition, biotechnology, agriculture, fisheries, sports, and culture are also fields in which both sides boast fruitful cooperation in, Alvarez remarked, recommending that the immediate task is to consolidate what the countries have had and continue to further promote cooperation for the sake of the two peoples.