(Editorial by Nhan Dan Newspaper): A high-level delegation from Cuba led by Raul Castro Ruz, Second Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee (CPC CC), First Vice President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers, and Minister of the Revolutionary Armed Forces, today April 26 starts an official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Prime Minister Phan Van Khai.

This is the second visit to Vietnam by Vice President Raul Castro Ruz, following the visits to Cuba by Prime Minister Phan Van Khai on October 2002, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh on March 2004, President Tran Duc Luong on November 2004 and the visit to Vietnam by President Fidel Castro on February 2003.

This visit is an important event, marking a new milestone in the solidarity, traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation between the two Parties, Governments and people.

In the mind of each Vietnamese, Cuba is a symbol of undaunted spirit and the great will towards freedom, development and prosperity. The Vietnamese people have been always looking forward to the heroic island of Cuba with their deep sentiments, admiration and sympathy. The Vietnamese people are also very glad and proud of the resounding victories achieved by the Cuban people in the past 46 years.

The Cuban people have proved their unity and consistency under the leadership of the Cuban Communist Party led by esteemed President Fidel Castro, overcoming all difficulties and challenges and have foiled attempts and designs by hostile forces. Such great efforts helped Cuban people preserve fully their revolutionary achievements and push the country ahead on the socialist path.

Despite the increasing embargo imposed by the US administration and the unfavourable weather, the Cuban Government has issued a number of appropriate policies which resulted in high economic growth as compared to the average rate in the region. Cuba’s economy grew by 2.6% in 2003 and 5% in 2004, the highest level in the first years of the 21st century. A record of over US $2 billion was reported in terms of export while tourism, a key economic sector, increased nearly 8%, receiving over two millions of foreign visitors. Cuba has seen further progress in the fields of health care, education and sports. Unemployment remains at 2%, the lowest level in Latin America. The country also reached the advanced standards concerning the low illiteracy (0.2%) and new-born mortality (under 6%).

In addition, the country continued its proletarian internationalism by providing free training to thousands of students from developing countries and sending medical and educational experts to help many countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America, including Vietnam.

The application of open and peaceful foreign policy has continuously raised Cuba’s prestige in the international arena. Cuba is receiving stronger support and solidarity from brotherly and friendly countries and the international community during their on-going struggle against the US outdated economic sanctions.

The relations between Vietnam and Cuba reflect the traditional friendship, the loyalty, the sharing of the good and the bad, the brotherhood and comradeship, the same revolutionary ideal and the roots of the noble thoughts built by President Ho Chi Minh and Hose Marti. Such valuable ties have been promoted by leaders and people in the two countries.

The Vietnamese people will remember forever the heartfelt assistance extended by the Cuban Party, Government and people to Vietnam’s revolution in the past as well as the current development process. This is expressed through the famous statement by President Fidel Castro, "For Vietnam, we are ready to offer our blood."

The Vietnamese people take this opportunity to reaffirm our consistent solidarity with the Cuban people in their protection of independence and freedom for the noble revolutionary ideal. We pledge to spare no effort to make the Vietnam-Cuba friendship and solidarity "ever greener and closer" as Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh said during his visit to Cuba on March 2004.

It is expected that the visit by Vice President Raul Castro Ruz and his delegation will be crowned with success, thus contributing to consolidating solidarity, friendship and comprehensive co-operation between the two countries for peace and development in the region and the world.