Vietnam and Cuba signed multiple cooperation documents during the March 28-31 state visit to the Caribbean country by Vietnamese Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong.

The documents include a cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese Party and its Cuban counterpart during 2018-23, an agreement between the two countries’ governments, which frees Cuba from its debts to Vietnam, and another agreement on judicial support in criminal affairs, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Friday.

A memorandum of understanding on the enhancement of scientific and technological collaboration between Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, and other memoranda between the two countries’ ministries were also inked on this occasion.

The two states agreed to scale up efforts to review and push for the signing of a new trade agreement, putting it into force as soon as possible, under a freshly-signed agreement on the end of negotiations of the new deal.

General Secretary Trong’s visit is made at the invitation of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba General Raul Castro Ruz.

Vietnam and Cuba have issued a joint statement, following talks between General Secretary Trong and President Raul Castro, according to the Vietnam News Agency.

Nguyen Phu Trong (L), General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, decorates Cuba's President Raul Castro with the Gold Star Order, during a ceremony at the Revolution Palace in Havana, Cuba March 29, 2018. Photo: Reuters

Vietnamese and Cuban leaders shared their views that the special friendship and solidarity between Vietnam and Cuba is a symbol of era and an invaluable asset of the Parties and people of the two countries.

They affirmed their resolve to carry forward the bilateral friendship which was fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and Commander-in-Chief Fidel Castro.

The leaders agreed on the need to expand and deepen the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, thus actively contributing to their national construction and defense, and to maintaining peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

During the talks, they expressed their joy at the flourishing bilateral relations between the two nations, and affirmed their determination to turn the special relations into a new development period, on the basis of political trust.

They stressed that the two sides should work closely to improve the efficiency of bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation, while comparing their notes on international and regional issues of common concern.