Fischer was received at the José Martí International Airport by Rogelio Sierra, deputy minister of Foreign Relations.

The Austrian President noted that Cuba is currently in an interesting stage of its development with the seventh Party Congress approaching and a long list of personalities, such as French President François Ho llande, Pope Francis and soon U.S. President Barack Obama, making visits to the island.

For his part Sierra noted that Fischer’s visit is of particular significance as it represents the first to be made by an Austrian president, and coincides with the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Accompanying the Austrian head of state on this visit are Minister of Justice Wolfgang Brands tetter; Vice President of the country’s Chamber of Commerce, Christoph Matznetter, as well as a delegation of businesspeople.

During his stay the distinguished visitor will meet with Army General Raúl Castro Ruz, President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers.

(Granma)