Vietnam has proven to be a steadfast friend of Cuba, consistently offering support to help the latter overcome various challenges throughout its socio-economic development, Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel told a meeting with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in the United Arab Emirates on Saturday.

Their meeting was part of their trips to the UAE to attend the ongoing 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28), which lasts until December 12.

The Cuban leader also sent his gratitude to the Vietnamese government for its valuable support when Cuba faced multiple difficulties such as a trade embargo.

President Diaz-Canel views the relationship between Cuba and Vietnam as a significant symbol of collaboration, fostered by late Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, late State President Ho Chi Minh, and other leaders from both nations throughout the past decades.

The two countries established diplomatic ties in 1960.

He also thanked the Vietnamese government, state, and Party leaders, and people for a warm welcome given to Esteban Lazo Hernandez, president of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba, when he visited Vietnam in September. 

His Vietnam trip was aimed at marking the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated zone in Quang Tri Province.

PM Chinh affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, state, government, and lawmaking National Assembly always attach much significance to the traditional and close ties, as well as multifaceted cooperation with Cuba.

The Vietnamese government leader congratulated Cuba on its success in hosting the G77 summit on climate change within the framework of the COP28.

Besides, PM Chinh conveyed warm regards from Vietnam's Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and State President Vo Van Thuong to the Cuban president, and other Party and state officials.

The leaders of the two nations reached a consensus on deeper cooperation at multilateral forums, as well as stronger partnerships in the areas of investment, trade, and agriculture.

On the same day, PM Chinh met with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson in the UAE, underlining that Vietnam always expects to cement the traditional friendship with Sweden, which is one of the former’s key partners in Europe.

The Swedish prime minister hoped that he would visit Vietnam as soon as possible to foster bilateral ties.

Sweden will step up efforts to spur multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, he said, proposing the two sides work closely to open more direct air routes to enhance tourism and facilitate increased people-to-people exchanges.

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