Chilean President in Cuba on Official Visit

HAVANA, Cuba, Jan 7 (ACN) Chilean President Michelle Bachelet Jeria is in Cuba on a two day official visit aimed at strengthening cultural, economic and cooperation ties between both nations.

Cuba's Deputy Foreign Minister Rogelio Sierra Diaz welcomed the Chilean Head of State at the Jose Marti International Airport.

In what will be one of Bachelet's last tours before turning over the Presidency, the Chilean leader met with artists and intellectuals on Sunday and will assist in a business forum on Monday where executives from both nations will explore commercial and investment possibilities.

According to statements to the press in the South American nation, the Chilean Foreign Minister Herald Munoz, said his country's investments with Cuba are important –totaling 62 million dollars- and announced there is more to come in the framework of the opportunities portfolio promoted by the Caribbean island.

Michele Bachelet will place a floral wreath before the monument of Cuba's National Hero Jose Marti in Revolution Square and is to visit the Salvador Allende pedagogical school in Havana.

Relations between Cuba and Chile are good with the island's commitment in strengthening those ties and push forward the integration of Latin America and the Caribbean.

The President's efforts in promoting social justice in Chile, reduce the existing inequality within the population and facilitate their access to basic services have been recognized by the Cuban government that acknowledges the process of political, educational, tax and labor reforms in the South American nation with the objective of benefiting low income citizens in the country.

Historic ties unite both countries dating back to the 1960's, when the South American nation was the first to received Cuban health professionals after the earthquake and tsunami in Valdivia.

Cuba has offered similar cooperation in the past, the recent were during earthquakes on February 27th, 2010 in Rancagua and April 24 th, 2007 in Valparaiso.

The Henry Reeve International Contingent of Specialized Doctors in Situations of Disasters and Serious Epidemics was send to Chile, making up 36 doctors, nurses and technicians with 12 tons of medical tools and medicine.

The Chilean President was elected for the first time from 2006-2010 and was re-elected in 2014.

The first pro tempore President of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), will be replaced on March 11th by Sebastian Pinera who won the second round of presidential elections last December.