HA NOI — The Vietnamese Party and people always did their utmost to enhance the friendship between Viet Nam and Cuba to provide practical benefits for the two countries, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday.

While receiving the newly-accredited Cuban Ambassador to Viet Nam, Frendesman Turro Gongalez, in Ha Noi, Dung said Viet Nam and Cuba had a fine, traditional friendship, particularly in the fields of politics and foreign affairs.

However, he said, the economic ties between the two countries had failed to match their potential.

The Government leader asked the Cuban diplomat to work with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to boost economy, trade and investment and to diversify co-operation in all fields, particularly projects and programmes signed by the two sides.

On the same day, PM Dung received Australian Ambassador to Viet Nam Bill Tweddell, who has completed his term of office.

The PM spoke highly of the contributions made by the Australian diplomat in Viet Nam and expressed delight at the development of relations between the two countries, particularly the rapid increase in two-way trade turnover, investment capital and development assistance.

He acknowledged the achievements of the two countries in labour, tourism and training, and education, citing the construction of the My Thuan bridge, built with Australian aid.

Ambassador Tweddell said he would do his utmost to foster friendship and co-operation between the two countries. — VNS