HAVANA, Mar. 29 (Xinhua) -- Cuban President Raul Castro on Thursday received Vietnam's highest order "Golden Star" from visiting Secretary General of the nation's Communist Party Nguyen Phu Trong.

In a ceremony held at the presidential palace, Phu Trong awarded Castro with the medal for his "constant struggles for the island's sovereignty and socialism," and for being one of the founders of the "deep links" between Hanoi and Havana.

"The intimate friendship between Cuba and Vietnam has passed the test of time. I proudly receive this recognition in the name of the Cuban people and our historic ties," said Castro after receiving the order.

The Cuban president highlighted the common history both nations share to develop a socialist society and remembered founding leaders Fidel Castro and Ho Chi Minh.

Minutes before, Castro and Phu Trong witnessed the signing ceremony of nine cooperation agreements, which include strengthening links between both Communist parties, a mutual legal assistance pact and the termination of the island's debt with the Asian nation for an undisclosed amount.

In the context of the visit, a joint business forum took place, in which three agreements were signed concerning the administration and management of two hotels in Havana and the development of an industrial park in the Mariel Special Development Zone.

Before ending his official three-day visit to the Caribbean nation on Friday, Phu Trong will travel to the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba and pay tribute at the Santa Ifigenia cemetery to former Cuban president Fidel Castro.