During the cordial meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on the positive state of relations between the two countries, and the perspectives for bilateral cooperation, foreign investment and trade. Díaz-Canel thanked Panama for its support for the Cuban resolution presented each year in the United Nations General Assembly against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States. They also addressed other issues on the regional and international agenda.

Cuba and Panama maintain historic political and diplomatic relations, and have developed a positive bilateral dialogue, based on friendship and cooperation.

Accompanying the distinguished visitor were Augusto Arosemena Moreno, minister of Commerce and Industry; Alcibíades Vásquez Velásquez, minister of Social Development; Deputy Foreign Minister, Luis Miguel Hincapié; Deputy Minister of Tourism, Marien Calviño; Nicole Wong, director general of Foreign Policy at the Panamanian Foreign Ministry; and Max José López Cornejo, Panamanian ambassador to Cuba.

Participating on the Cuban side were Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; Ena Elsa Velázquez Cobiella, minister of Education; Marcelino Medina González, interim minister of Foreign Affairs; and Lydia Margarita González Navarro, Cuban ambassador appointed to Panama.

During his stay on the island, President Varela paid tribute to Cuban National Hero José Martí, at the memorial to him in the capital; and is set to visit the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, which since 1986 has conducted research in the fields of medicine and biology, as well as agriculture and livestock.

He will also visit the “Solidarity with Panama” school, a national reference educational institution designed for children with disabilities or special educational needs, from preschool to ninth grade.

(Granma)

The honorary academic distinction was awarded by unanimous decision to the Cuban leader, for his exemplary international political stance, committed to promoting dialogue and understanding between diverse forces across the continent; as well as the Cuban government’s contribution to the creation of integrationist blocs such as Petrocaribe, ALBA and Ca­ricom, through which the island promotes programs of solidarity which aim to improve the peoples’ health and education, according to the supporting document.

During his speech, the rector of the University, Gustavo García Paredes, stated that people began to think differently after the triumph of the Revolution on January 1, 1959, while the historic victory also paved the way for the emergence of national liberation processes in the region.

García Paredes noted that President Raúl Castro was able to re-establish relations with the United States without renouncing the dignity or principles of the Revolution.

For his part, the First Vice President of the Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, who received the distinction on behalf of Raúl, highlighted that the award represents a symbol of the friendship and historic ties between the peoples of Cuba and Panama.

In his acceptance speech, Díaz-Canel noted that he felt honored to be receiving the distinction from the hands of the most senior officials of the University, an institution linked to the country’s revolutionary struggles for sovereignty and the return of the Panama Canal territory.
He also emphasized the historic significance of the institution for Cubans – active witness to the struggle to apprehend those responsible for the assassination attempt against then President Fidel Castro, during the Ibero-American Summit held here in 2000.

The University has been the site of important events and acts linked to the emancipation of the continent, and is also a bastion of the Panamanian people’s struggle for sovereignty, highlighted Díaz-Canel.

(Granma)

During the friendly meeting, the two Presidents discussed prospects for expanding ties between the two countries, in particular in cooperative efforts and trade. They additionally addressed issues of international interest, among them the integration process underway in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The distinguished guest was accompanied by Isabel Saint Malo de Alvarado, Vice President and Foreign Minister; Meliton Arrocha Ruiz, minister of Commerce and Industry; and Francisco Carlo Escobar Pedreschi, Panama’s ambassador in Cuba.

Participating on the Cuban side were Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla; Rodrigo Malmierca Díaz, minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; as well as Antonio Miguel Pardo Sánchez, Cuban ambassador in Panama.

(Granma)