Cuban leader Raúl Castro reappeared in public this Friday to greet the president of Vietnam, To Lam, at the close of a two-day visit by the Asian leader to the island.
The former Cuban ruler, now retired, can go weeks without appearing publicly because he has no agenda to follow. His last appearance was in mid-September at a military ceremony.
“Both parties referred to the historic ties of friendship and the excellent state of relations between our peoples, (communist) parties and governments, while ratifying the common will to strengthen them,” reported the official Cubadebate portal.
The media published a photo of the meeting of both leaders greeting each other with a handshake.
Castro “highlighted the importance of Vietnam’s effective participation in Cuba’s National Economic and Social Development Plan until 2030,” the portal added.
93 years old, Castro, now without an active position within the Cuban government, almost does not receive leaders who travel to the island, except when they are leaders of allied countries, especially Vietnam, an important trading partner in Asia, or international figures. close to the government.
To arrived on Wednesday night and on Thursday held closed-door meetings with President Miguel Díaz-Canel, with whom he also toured the free zone of the Port of Mariel – about 50 kilometers west of Havana – where Vietnam has half a dozen companies. settled.
That night seven binational agreements were signed, both on economic issues – for example between central banks – and on political issues such as the exchange of experiences between both ruling Communist Parties.
Vietnam announced a donation of 10,000 tons of rice for the island, which is going through a severe economic crisis.
The commercial exchange between both nationalities reaches 300 million dollars annually. President To will leave the island this Friday.
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