"Today we are summoned by the joy of celebrating 50 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Lao People's Democratic Republic and the Republic of Cuba, two nations united by a long tradition of friendship, solidarity and cooperation that is consolidated over time, despite the geographical distance." This was expressed yesterday, from the Portocarrero Hall of the Palace of the Revolution, by the member of the Political Bureau and Vice President of the Republic, Salvador Valdes Mesa.
In the presence of the First Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, Valdés Mesa stressed that the ties between the two nations have been strengthened over time, and "are an expression of the maturity and high mutual trust between the highest authorities of our parties and governments."
He recalled "the historic visit to Laos of Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, in 2005, in which he ratified the will to deepen ties in areas such as health, education and sports."
He also recalled the visit "of comrade Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, in his capacity as President of the Councils of State and Ministers of the Republic of Cuba, in 2018, and the subsequent visits to our country, of the then President of the National Assembly, and of the Vice-Premier and Foreign Minister of that sister nation in 2019."
"On the occasion of the visit to Laos of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz, in October 2022, cooperation agreements were initialed that have contributed to the advancement of our ties." The Vice President mentioned areas of mutual benefit such as agriculture and biotechnology, as well as joint initiatives in health and medical sciences.
"Most recently, we highlight the visit to Cuba by President Thongloun Sisoulith in September 2023 to participate in the Group of 77 and China Summit. The images of the fraternal meetings of the Lao leader with Army General Raúl Castro Ruz and President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez were eloquent."
The long and sincere friendship, he stressed, "encourages us to continue working for the consolidation of political dialogue at the highest level, based on transparency and the strengthening of bilateral cooperation. We will continue our efforts to make it increasingly comprehensive and sustainable.
"We will continue to promote, with creativity, the exchange between the young generations of Cubans and Laotians, to preserve such beautiful and deep-rooted traditions of solidarity and brotherhood.
"It will be a way to pay homage to our historical leaders, to preserve the legacy of those who fell in defense of independence, freedom and dignity of our peoples."
For his part, Vanhtha Sengmeuang, ambassador of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, said he was very happy and honored to represent the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, his government and the Lao multi-ethnic people in the celebration of the historic date.
"We are very proud," he said, "that in recent years Laos and Cuba have strengthened their relations in various fields." The ambassador said that the Caribbean country, despite the imperial blockade it has been suffering for so long, has not ceased to support the friendly nation, and that, in the midst of the uncertainty that the world is suffering, the Lao People's Democratic Republic reaffirms its solidarity with Cuba, in support of the lifting of the imperial blockade and against the inclusion of the largest of the Antilles in the list of countries allegedly sponsoring terrorism.
The event was also attended by the Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee of the Party, Roberto Morales Ojeda; Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; and the General Secretary of the Central Workers' Union of Cuba, Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, all members of the Political Bureau.
