Ambassador Le Quang Long: The visit of the President of the Cuban National Assembly continues and concretizes high-level agreements

On the occasion of the official visit to Vietnam by President of the Cuban National Assembly Esteban Lazo Hernández, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long gave an interview to The Gioi va Viet Nam Newspaper about the significance and highlights of this visit.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with Cuban National Assembly Chairman Esteban Lazo Hernández on the sidelines of the 6th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in Geneva, Switzerland, July 30, 2025. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

President of the National Assembly Esteban Lazo Hernández is about to visit Vietnam and co-chair the second meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee of the two countries. Could you please tell us about the significance of this visit as well as the highlights of the agenda?

The official visit to Vietnam by President of the National Assembly of the People's Power, President of the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernandez at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man from September 30 to October 5 is of great significance in many aspects. This is not only an annual high-level delegation exchange activity between the two National Assemblies, but also a political and diplomatic event of great influence, contributing to consolidating and further developing the special traditional solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cuba.

First of all, the visit affirms the close and loyal ties between the two peoples. The President of the Cuban National Assembly is the first high-ranking Cuban leader to officially visit Vietnam since the State visit of First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez at the invitation of General Secretary To Lam. This trip is therefore meaningful in continuing and concretizing high-level agreements, promoting substantive cooperation in all fields.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba and concurrently to the Dominican Republic Le Quang Long. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba)

A special highlight of the visit is that the two sides will co-chair the Second Session of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee. This is a mechanism established to create a framework for regular, direct cooperation between the two legislative bodies, an important supplement to the Party, State and Government relations channel. This session is held in Hanoi after the success of the First Session in Havana (September 2024). The two sides will review the results achieved, evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of the agreed recommendations and discuss measures to remove obstacles to deepen parliamentary cooperation.

According to the scheduled program, the President of the Cuban National Assembly will have many important activities: laying flowers at the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and the Jose Marti Monument; meeting with General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; holding talks and attending a reception hosted by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man. In addition, the delegation will have visits and work in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Hung Yen, learning about development experiences in the fields of biotechnology, clean energy, telecommunications, and high-tech agriculture.

It can be seen that this dense and practical working program shows the great desire of the two countries' leaders to expand and deepen parliamentary cooperation, while connecting with the fields of economics, trade, investment, science and technology - the key pillars for the sustainable development of Vietnam - Cuba relations in the new period.

In the Joint Statement during the recent State visit of First Secretary and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, the two leaders emphasized the importance of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee mechanism. Could the Ambassador share more about the role and outstanding contributions of this mechanism in the overall special traditional relationship between the two countries?

The Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee is a new cooperation mechanism but has quickly proven its effectiveness and important role in the overall special relationship between the two countries. This is an initiative that demonstrates the strategic vision of the leaders of the two National Assemblies, aiming to create a direct, regular, and organized exchange channel between the legislative bodies of the two countries.

During the first meeting in Havana (September 2024), the two sides listened to reports from relevant agencies, especially the Vietnam-Cuba Intergovernmental Committee, on the bilateral cooperation situation. Practical recommendations were made, focusing on improving the legal system to remove difficulties and obstacles in cooperation, especially in the fields of economics, trade, investment and finance. The two sides also shared experiences in building and implementing policies in essential areas such as energy, science and technology, health care, education and high-tech agriculture. These are strategic topics that directly serve the development needs of both Vietnam and Cuba.

The highlight is that, at the first session, the two sides agreed to study the possibility of coordinating to monitor the implementation of signed cooperation documents, ensuring that high-level agreements do not just stop on paper but are effectively implemented in practice. This is the special added value that the Inter-Parliamentary Committee mechanism brings: both creating a discussion forum and helping to monitor and supervise to increase the feasibility and sustainability of cooperation.

Therefore, the second session in Hanoi is expected to continue to promote that practical spirit, offering more specific solutions to support the Government and relevant agencies of the two countries in implementing cooperation. Thus, the Committee not only contributes to strengthening political and diplomatic relations, but also directly connects with economic, trade, scientific and technological cooperation, creating more momentum for Vietnam - Cuba relations.

Cuban National Assembly President Esteban Lazo Hernández and delegates during a visit to Hien Luong Bridge, Quang Tri on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Fidel Castro's visit to the liberated area of ​​South Vietnam, September 2023. (Photo: DK)

How does the Ambassador assess the cooperation between the two countries' National Assemblies in recent times, especially in the areas of delegation exchanges, coordination at international parliamentary forums, as well as in promoting the improvement of the legal system, creating a favorable legal corridor for economic and trade cooperation and monitoring the sustainable implementation of bilateral agreements?

Over the years, cooperation between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Cuban National Assembly has always been one of the bright spots in bilateral relations. This is a very important complementary cooperation channel for the relationship between the two Parties and the two States.

Regarding delegation exchanges, the two sides regularly maintain visits and contacts at high levels as well as at the level of specialized committees. Delegations of the Vietnamese National Assembly have visited Cuba many times, participating in international parliamentary activities in Havana, while the Cuban National Assembly also regularly sends delegations to attend conferences and seminars in Vietnam and in the Asian region. These trips have contributed to maintaining political trust and strengthening the special solidarity between the two National Assemblies and peoples of the two countries.

Regarding international coordination, the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Cuban National Assembly always support each other at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) and many other frameworks. This coordination not only demonstrates traditional solidarity but also helps both sides protect their legitimate interests, while together promoting common values ​​of peace, justice and sustainable development.

President of the Cuban National Assembly Esteban Lazo Hernández visits the Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba. (Source: Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba)

In terms of perfecting the legal system, the meetings and talks between the two National Assemblies have contributed to sharing experiences in building policies and laws suitable to the specific conditions of each country. In particular, the contents discussed within the framework of the Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee have been aiming to create a more open legal corridor, supporting businesses of the two countries to exploit the potential for economic-trade cooperation, investment, energy, health and biotechnology. These are areas in which Cuba has strengths, while Vietnam has a need for cooperation and additional resources.

It is noteworthy that the two sides have agreed to coordinate in studying a common monitoring mechanism for the implementation of bilateral agreements, in order to ensure that cooperation documents are implemented effectively, avoiding the situation of "signing many, doing little". This approach shows the initiative and creativity of the two National Assemblies in accompanying the two Governments, contributing to deepening and sustaining the cooperative relationship.

I believe that with a special political foundation, mutual trust and a spirit of solidarity, parliamentary cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba will continue to play an important role. In the coming period, the two National Assemblies will coordinate more closely to both enhance exchanges and share experiences, and promote the building and completion of a favorable legal framework for economic, trade and investment cooperation. At the same time, the two sides will continue to support each other in the international arena, protect their legitimate interests and together promote the goal of building a world of peace, stability, fairness and sustainable development.

The official visit to Vietnam by National Assembly Chairman Esteban Lazo Hernández and his co-chairing of the 2nd Session of the Vietnam-Cuba Inter-Parliamentary Cooperation Committee is an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries. This event has profound political significance, opening up prospects for substantive cooperation in many fields, from parliament, politics to economics, trade, science and technology, and high-tech agriculture. This is a vivid demonstration of the special, loyal, pure and close-knit traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cuba - a priceless asset that needs to be preserved and promoted by present and future generations.

Thank you very much, Ambassador!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-le-quang-long-chuyen-tham-cua-chu-tich-quoc-hoi-cua-tiep-noi-va-cu-the-hoa-nhung-thoa-thuan-cap-cao-329214.html