Vietnam-Cuba joint statement
Vietnam and Cuba issued a joint statement in Havana on June 3, following the visit to the island by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh. The joint statement runs as follows:
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nong Duc Manh paid an official friendship visit to Cuba from June 1-3 at the invitation of Fidel Castro Ruz, First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee and President of the State Council and the Council of Ministers.
During the important talks, General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and President Fidel Castro reaffirmed profound sentiments of the special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba, which has become a symbol of the current era.
General Secretary Manh held talks with Second Secretary of the CPC Central Committee Raul Castro Ruz. In an atmosphere of mutual understanding, trust and comradeship, the two sides informed each other of the situation of their respective Parties and countries and discussed bilateral relations and international issues of mutual concern.
The two sides expressed pleasure at the great and historically significant achievements made by the two Parties and people in building and safeguarding their socialist fatherlands. The two sides were proud of the traditional solidarity between the two Parties and people; affirmed their determination to continue developing the friendship, solidarity, loyalty, mutual understanding and comprehensive co-operation between the two Parties and countries, actively contributing to peace, national independence, democracy, social advancement, co-operation and development in Southeast Asia, Latin America and the world.
Vietnam affirmed its support for the efforts of the Cuban Party, State and people in demanding that the US end its blockage and embargo and schemes to interfere and destabilize Cuba; seeking justice for five young Cubans who are being held by the US and demanding terrorist Luis Posada Carriles be brought to trial.
Cuba affirmed its wish and firm belief that Vietnam would continue making greater achievements in the process of renovation, building and safeguarding the socialist fatherland, a powerful country with wealthy people and an equal, democratic and civilized society.
The two sides agreed to increase high-level meetings between Party and State officials; strengthen the sharing of experiences, the expansion of economic co-operation, and maintain close co-operation in national defense, security and foreign relations; and boost training on Vietnam-Cuba solidarity and brotherhood for young generations.
The two sides agreed to make concerted efforts to foster and expand economic, trade and investment co-operation, as well as implement the initiatives on co-operation in science, technology, culture, education, tourism, sports, radio, television, construction and other areas, on the basis of tapping the potentials and advantages of each country.
The two sides affirmed the role of the Vietnam-Cuba Joint Governmental Committee as an appropriate instrument to get insight into, evaluate and approve major co-operation projects, including those on prospecting, exploring and extracting oil and gas on land and in the Gulf of Mexico, designing and providing technical assistance for a bio-technology centre in Vietnam and the third phase of a project to develop rice cultivation for households.
The two countries shared the same stance on many international issues; fully supported each other’s self-reliant and independent foreign policies; agreed that all international disputes should be resolved through negotiations on the basis of respect for independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and a nation’s right to self-determination, non-interference into other countries’ internal affairs without the use of force or threat of using force.
The two sides stressed the demand for co-operation between nations to resolve pressing issues facing the world today, such as poverty, illiteracy, medical service shortage, unemployment and discrimination, coupled with the threat of natural resource exhaustion and rapid environmental degradation. They affirmed that they will actively join the people in the world in the struggle for peace, national independence, democracy, sustainable development, social progress and a more equal and democratic new world order.
The two sides stressed the need for reforming the United Nations (UN) and the UN Security Council in the direction of making them more democratic, ensuring interests for all member countries, and increasing the UN’s pivotal role in resolving international issues and preventing all plots and activities that run counter to the UN Charter, international rules and laws. Cuba supports Vietnam’s bid to become a non-permanent member in the UN Security Council in the 2008-2009 term.
The two sides affirmed their willingness to make contributions to strengthening and boosting the Non-Aligned Movement, of which Cuba holds the Presidency, so that the group can realize the desire and will of member countries, which represent a majority of the mankind.
The two sides noted that in the fight against the dominance of a new form of freedom, which has been imposed on the world over the last decades, strong mass and social movements have emerged in Latin America and the Caribbean and governments have committed themselves to realizing the people’s aspiration for justice and accelerating regional integration and co-operation, as evidenced by the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas.
The two sides noted that progress has been made in the process of integration in Asia, contributing to development, prosperity and stability in the region and the world.
The two sides highly valued the result of General Secretary Manh’s official friendship visit to Cuba, considering the visit to be an important event, creating a new driving force to enhance the relations between the two Parties, States and peoples and contributing to peace, stability, co-operation, development and prosperity in the two regions and the world at large.
General Secretary Manh thanked the Cuban Party, State and people for their warm and respectful welcome. General Secretary Manh invited First Secretary Fidel Castro and Second Secretary Raul Castro to visit Vietnam. First Secretary Fidel Castro and Second Secretary Raul Castro thanked General Secretary Manh and accepted the invitation.
Périodico 26 (.cu) - June 5, 2007.
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