BELARUS NEWS AND ANALYSIS

DATE:

21/04/2006

Belarus and Cuba strengthen bilateral ties

BELARUSSIAN Prime Minister Serguei Sidorski spoke in favor of broader bilateral relations with Cuba after arriving Thursday (April 20) in Havana, on invitation of President Fidel Castro.

Belarus and Cuba strengthen bilateral ties"Our country and Cuba are united through strong, friendly relations," Sidorski said, adding that existing agreements between the two nations are developing well, Prensa Latina reported.

This is the prime minister's first trip to the island after his investiture in 2003, and he had a full program of meetings with Cuban authorities on political issues and other matters of common interest.

Sidorski noted that Cuba is an important partner in political and economic issues in the Western Hemisphere via bilateral ties that go back to the Soviet era and are characterized by openness, sincerity, a spirit of solidarity and mutual aid.

The prime minister affirmed that his country is a strategic ally of Cuba, and noted that their political ties express mutual agreement on international questions.

To date, 17 intergovernmental and interdepartmental agreements have been signed between the two countries in the areas of trade, economy, public health, certifications and consular relations.

Source:

http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2006/abril/vier21/18belarus.html