(VOVWorld) - Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong is now on an official visit to Cuba and Brazil in an effort to strengthen ties with traditional partners and integrate Vietnam into the world.

Staff of the Vietnamese embassy, overseas Vietnamese and students in Havana welcomed Party leader Trong at the Jose Martin International Airport. Photo: Tri Dung/VNA

Latin America has nurtured relations with Vietnam over the past year and expressed admiration for Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation and its current economic development. 52 years ago, Cuba became the first nation in the western hemisphere to establish official relations with Vietnam. Cuba led the global movement to support Vietnam’s struggle for independence and national reunification in the past and now supports its national construction. The loyal bond between the two countries has stood the test of time. Cuban ambassador to Vietnam Fredesman Turro Gonzalez told VOV: “The relationship between Vietnam and Cuba was established during the fight for idealism and aspiration of both nations. Cuba is forever grateful for Vietnam’s support during many difficult years and we will spare no effort to defend and promote our bilateral friendship”.

Relations between Vietnam and Brazil have also seen progress over the last two decades. The two countries have exchanged a number of senior visits, which have helped leverage bilateral ties to a higher level. Following a joint declaration made during the visit to Brazil by former Party leader Nong Duc Manh in 2007, Vietnam and Brazil committed to establishing a comprehensive and equal partnership for mutual benefit. Two-way trade has seen annual increases, topping 1.5 billion USD last year, up 150%. Recently, Brazil removed Vietnam from the list of countries subject to footwear anti-dumping investigation and adopted a list of 74 Vietnamese enterprises eligible to export fisheries products to Brazil, making the country the 5^th largest seafood exporter to Brazil. The two countries have been exploring opportunities to cooperatively produce ethanol fuel in Vietnam, as well as co-operating in steel production, engineering, and agriculture. Mr. Nguyen Thac Dinh, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam-Brazil Friendship and Co-operation Association and former Vietnamese ambassador to Brazil said : “Co-operation between Vietnam and Brazil is flourishing. Vietnam imports from Brazil mainly wood and leather and exports aqua-products and garments. Both are leading coffee producers and are working hard together to protect the rights and interests of coffee producers”.

With Brazil in the process of adopting a new socio-economic development model, Party leader Trong’s visit aims to seek ideas for developing a socialist-oriented market economy. Mr. Dinh is confident about future co-operation:“The center-right Labor Party, the ruling party in Brazil, understands and admires Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation and its pathway to socialism. We’re now also fans of Vietnam’s renewal process. Both countries have a lot to learn from each other”.

Party leader Trong’s visits to Cuba and Brazil are expected to further friendship and economic cooperation with these two countries. The visits will give Vietnam a chance to show its support for leftist and progressive forces in both countries and discuss the path to successful socialism

 ANH HUYEN