Cuba and Costa Rica strengthen ties of friendship

Cubadebate — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 22:24:57 +0000

I hope that this visit will be the starting point to re-launch ties between Cuba and Costa Rica, stated Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, President of this Central American nation on Monday, December 14, during his speech at the Cuban Academy of History.
Rivera was presented with the Corresponding Foreign Academic degree by the institution, awarded to scholars who despite being neither a Cuban national or resident, have made important contributions to the island’s history.
In his speech, entitled ‘The historic relations between Costa Rica and Cuba,’ the President highlighted Fidel Castro’s visit to his country in 1965 in order to foment support for the revolutionary movement; as well as that of Cuba’s national hero, José Martí and the Bronze Titan Antonio Maceo in the 19th century.
The act was presided by Miguel Díaz-Ca nel Bermúdez, first vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers; Gus tavo Co breiro, rector of the University of Havana; and Eusebio Leal, Havana City Historian.
Also on the morning of December 14, the Costa Rican President visited facilities associated with the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), one of the principal scientific institutions linked to medicine in Cuba.

(Granma)

Costa Rican President makes official visit to Cuba to strengthen relations

Cubadebate — Mon, 14 Dec 2015 22:30:55 +0000

The President of Costa Rica, Luis Guillermo Solís Rivera, arrived in Havana yesterday, December 13, leading a delegation of government officials and business leaders with the goal of strengthening relations with Cuba.

Solís indicated that during the official visit, he hoped to conclude the process of normalization of bilateral ties which began in the 1990s, and to develop cooperation in several areas.

Also among the objectives of the visit, Solís said, are promoting trade, expanding Costa Rican exports to Cuba, which this year reached more than 40 million dollars, adding, “We want this to continue.”

He commented that Cuba is one of the principal political actors in the Caribbean Basin, which is of special interest to Costa Rican regional foreign policy.

Solís concluded his comments saying that the issue of migration was also “on the agenda.”

More than five thousand Cubans are currently in Costa Rica waiting to continue their journey to the United States, where they will be received in accordance with that country’s “wet foot-dry foot policy” which promotes illegal migration.

President Solís was welcomed at Havana’s José Martí International Airport by Deputy Foreign Minister Rogelio Sierra and members of the Costa Rican diplomatic mission in Cuba.

The more than 30-person delegation included several ministers: Foreign Relations, Manuel González; Science and Technology, Marcelo Jenkins; Tourism, Mauricio Ventura; and Health, Fernando Llorca.

The two day stay will include visits to scientific research centers; a conference on relations between the two countries; and meetings with a number of Cuban leaders.

(Granma)

Cubadebate (English) » President Luis Guillermo Solis

Cuba and Costa Rica strengthen ties of friendship

Costa Rican President makes official visit to Cuba to strengthen relations