Belgium and Cuba Ratify Solid Bonds of Friendship

HAVANA, Cuba, Jun 1 (acn) Didier Reynders, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Kingdom of Belgium, confirmed today in this capital the strong and sincere friendship existing between his country and Cuba, and the possibility of extending cooperation to benefit both peoples.

At a press conference, the Belgian foreign minister said that relations between the European nation and Cuba have been excellent, and that his visit to the island gives new impetus to mutual cooperation.
He commented that during his stay in the Caribbean nation he met with Bruno Rodriguez, Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Rodrigo Malmierca, Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, with whom he assessed the participation of Belgian companies in the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM).
He also underlined his meeting with Ricardo Cabrisas, Vice-president of the Council of Ministers, stressing that both signed two agreements for debt restructuring, which will favor conditions for investments in Cuba.
The Deputy Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Belgium expressed the interest of his country to strengthen political, cultural, commercial, academic and scientific cooperation with Cuba, and with such a premise conduct joint research works between universities.
Referring to the area of health, he mentioned that accompanied by Roberto Morales, head of the sector, he visited the Latin American Medical School and the Pedro Kouri Tropical Medicine Institute (IPK).
The European foreign minister expressed his appreciation for the warm welcome received in Cuba and stressed that he held a pleasant meeting with Army General Raul Castro, President of the Councils of State and Ministers.
He added that during his stay in the capital he toured historic centers of Old Havana, the Museum of Fine Arts, and gave a keynote lecture at the Higher Institute of International Relations.
Patrick Van Gheel, ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium in Cuba; Herman Portocarero, Ambassador and head of the delegation of the European Union in the country, along with officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participated in the meeting with the press.