In a statement to the press, Rodríguez indicated that the agreement represents “the road toward collaboration, which will not be exempt from obstacles,” given the effects of the U.S. blockade, while reaffirming his conviction that important steps forward can be taken on the basis of mutual respect.

Vilsack, for his part, agreed with his counterpart that the blockade must end, and emphasized that he will continue to work for greater cooperation, inviting Rodriguez to an upcoming event in Puerto Rico on climate change.

Speaking with Granma, Rodríguez said important steps will be taken as a result of the agreement given the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s authority and its active support for cooperation, especially in the areas of plant and livestock health.

(Granma)

The AU representative was received at the institution by the First Deputy Minister of Public Health, José Ángel Portal, who explained that the Ebola outbreak demonstrated that the world is not prepared to respond to these types of epidemics with the necessary speed, and that work must continue to combat them. He also reiterated that Africa can always count on the support of Cuba.

Dlamini-Zuma stated that efforts are underway to build control centers for these types of epidemics in the five regions which make up the continent of Africa (North, South, East, West and Central), “and we need to learn from their experiences,” she noted.

During her visit, Dla mi ni-Zuma held a conference entitled Africa 2063 Agenda: the continental vision and its relationship with the world, in the Raúl Roa Institute of International Relations.

Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, will also take part in other activities during her official visit, including a meeting with African students at the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM), as well as renew the Memorandum of Understanding between the AU and Cuba.

(Granma)

Lazo, also a member of the Party Political Bureau, expressed gratitude for the support Vietnam offered during the harsh years of the Special Period and their solidarity in fighting to end the U.S. blockade imposed on the island.

”You represent the heroic people of Vietnam to whom we are united by indestructible ties of fraternity rooted in a common history of struggle. When we meet with you, we do so as brothers,” stated Lazo.

”We admire Vietnam for the extraordinary example of its heroic sons and daughters, their will and resolve, spirit of hard work and tenacity, all of which have led to the construction of a country 10 times more beautiful than the unforgettable Ho Chi Minh could have dreamed,” added the President of Cuba’s Parliament.

In this sense he noted that in 1996 he experienced one Vietnam, and in 2006 he saw a different country, and today and even greater nation, which fills us with satisfaction, he added.

Likewise, he highlighted the support offered the island by Vietnamese government and party authorities with the holding of the 7th Asia Pacific Regional ConferenceforSolidaritywithCuba.

Lazo made the most of the occasion to congratulate Vietnam on the 70th anniversary of the proclamation of the country’s independence.

He emphasized the Vietnamese people’s spirit of struggle, “fully conscious – as President Ho Chi Minh would say – that nothing is more important than freedom and independence.”

Lazo thanked the Vietnamese leader for his decision to visit the National Assembly as his first activity on the island.
The President of the Asian nation arrived to Cuba on the morning of September 29, and is scheduled to hold official talks with his Cuban counterpart, Raúl Castro Ruz.

During his visit Truong Tan Sang will receive the Order of José Martí, the highest distinction awarded by Cuba’s Council of State and will also pay tribute to the country’s national hero and Ho Chi Minh.

The Vietnamese leader sent greetings to the Cuban people and highlighted the excellent state of relations between the two nations, “engendered by the friendship between Uncle Ho (Ho Chi Minh) and compañero Fidel.”

The head of state, who is in Cuba on an official visit until September 30, was received at the José Martí International Airport in Havana by Deputy Foreign Minister Rogelio Sierra.

Invited by his Cuban counterpart, Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, Truong Tan Sang will be awarded the José Martí Order, the highest decoration awarded by the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba.

Tan Sang, who traveled to the island after having participated in the UN Summit on Sustainable Development, will meet with other Cuban authorities and the President of the National Assembly of People’s Power, Esteban Lazo.

The visit coincides with the celebration this year of the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the nations, on December 2, and is part of the frequent contacts between top leaders of both parties to exchange views on their respective socialist processes and contribute to the consolidation of bilateral relations.

Recent examples of these ties include the visit to Hanoi by the Cuban Minister of Finance and Prices, Lina Pedraza, where she was received by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.
On September 9, President Truong Tan Sang spoke with participants in the 7th Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba, including the delegation headed by the President of the Cuban Institute of Friendship with the Peoples, Kenia Serrano, and anti-terrorist fighter and Hero of the Republic of Cuba Antonio Guerrero.

(Granma)