Diplomatic relations between Laos and Cuba, 48 years after being established, will close a 2022 of intense exchange of high-level delegations with results that Ambassador Enna Viant said are very positive.
 
She mentioned the visit of Prime Minister Manuel Marrero accompanied by a large delegation, which resulted in four agreements in the areas of higher education, agriculture and health, said the head of the Cuban state mission there.
 
Marrero was received by the highest authorities of the People's Revolutionary Party (PPRL), the State and the Lao Legislative and toured the Phanphet agricultural company, dedicated to the production of rice and other products, and the Saysetta Development Zone, recalled the diplomat.
 
The visit of the Cuban head of government was preceded by that of the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Gerardo Peñalver, to carry out political consultations, at the end of which a cooperation plan for the years 2022-2025 was signed.
 
The president of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples (ICAP) and Hero of the Republic of Cuba, Fernando González, and the head of the Latin American News Agency Prensa Latina, Luis Enrique González, who signed an important agreement with the Lao News Agency (KPL), also arrived in Vientiane, she noted.
 
On the other hand, Viant pointed out, the president of the Lao Supreme Court, Viengthone Siphandone, and the head of the Foreign Relations Commission of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (PPRL), Thongsavanah Phomvihane, traveled to Cuba.
 
They were also joined by the Deputy Minister of Health, Snong Tongsana, and the Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, Manothong Vongsay, who for the first time participated in the Havana International Fair where he signed a trade agreement.
 
In addition, several videoconferences were held, including that of the top leaders of the Communist Party of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, and the PPRL, Thongloun Sisoulith, which highlighted the increasingly consistent relations of friendship and solidarity between the two countries, she added.
 
The Cuban ambassador also underscored the consistent, responsible and coherent position of Laos in supporting Cuba in its struggle against the U.S. economic, financial and commercial blockade, once again proved at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.
 
There, Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith reiterated his country's unrestricted support to the Cuban cause in its just demand for an immediate and unconditional end to the criminal U.S. siege that has been going on for six decades, she stressed.