Receiving Mr An in Havana on March 16, Mr Fidel Castro briefed guest on the country’s situation and discussed energy conservation programmes being carried out in Cuba.

For his part, Mr An congratulated Cuba on its remarkable achievements in recent years, particularly its GDP growth rate of 11 percent in 2005, which not only helped Cuba escape from a crisis but also create new momentum for the country to move forward in the coming years. He affirmed the Party, Government and people of Vietnam’s consistent support for solidarity with the Cuban revolution.

Mr An also briefed Fidel Castro on Vietnam's preparations for the upcoming 10^th National Party Congress and the results of his visits to Venezuela, Argentina and Brazil.

Vietnam, Cuba and Latin America have great potential for co-operation in agriculture and bio-technology, he said.