Cuba and Mali Ratify Bonds of Friendship and Solidarity

HAVANA, Cuba, Mar 22 (acn) Esteban Lazo, member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Cuban Communist Party and President of the National Assembly of the People's Power (ANPP), ratified on Monday in this capital the strong bonds of friendship and solidarity existing between the Caribbean nation and Mali.

While receiving Issaka Sidebe, President of the National Assembly of Mali, Lazo described bilateral relations as dynamic, and expressed his appreciation for the support received from Mali in the struggle against the unfair economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by the United States on the Caribbean island.
Its support has not only been expressed in ceremonies, since it has raised its voice for Cuba in the summits of the African Union and in the United Nations General Assembly, he stressed.
In addition, he reaffirmed the total willingness of the Cuban State to resume bonds of cooperation in the sectors of health, education, culture and sports, as well as in other spheres, since in 2012 they were damaged due to issues related to lack of internal security in Mali.
Lazo said that in spite of these events, relations between the two countries date back to 1960 and have never been interrupted. He commented that some 400 professionals have graduated in Cuba, and that at present a group of youngsters study different university specialties.
After conveying his country's greetings to Cuban President Raul Castro, Sidebe expressed his gratitude to the Cuban voluntary workers that offered their services in the African nation.
Accompanying Sidebe for his visit are Madou Diallo, General Secretary of the Assembly; Tacko Niambele, an official of the International Relations Service; and Mahamadou Diallo and Fousseni Coulibali, director and Cabinet assistant, respectively.