Nicosia, Cyprus, April 24, 2026. The Minister of Health of the Republic of Cyprus, Mr. Neophytos Charalambides, received this Friday the Cuban ambassador accredited in this capital, Mr. Rubén Pino Martínez, who held a fraternal bilateral meeting.
The health minister of the Mediterranean island welcomed the Cuban diplomat accompanied by part of his team from the Directorate of International Relations, whose authorities expressed feelings of solidarity with the Caribbean island, in view of the difficult economic situation that Cuba and its people are experiencing, as a result of the energy blockade imposed since the end of last January and the embargo policy in place for more than sixty years.
During this first official meeting, which marks the beginning of a new chapter of bilateral work in the field of health, the Cuban diplomat expressed his deep gratitude for the warm welcome received since his arrival in Cyprus, in the context of an already historical solidarity from this island toward Cuba, the result of a relationship that extends over more than 65 years and constitutes a fundamental pillar in the ties between both nations.
Both parties emphasized their willingness and commitment to advance bilateral cooperation in the health sector and the timeliness of reviewing the appropriate mechanisms and instruments to strengthen such relations, based on the shared willingness to support and bring to life the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on health, signed on February 9, 2023, between both countries.
“It would be very timely,” noted Pino Martínez, “to thoroughly review what new actions we could complement as part of the content of the MOU to articulate practical, substantial, and effective cooperation between the two countries, a sector in which Cuba has much to offer and contribute from various spheres of medicine, science, and research.”
Before concluding, the Cuban ambassador updated the Cypriot minister of health on the upcoming shipment of a fourth container of humanitarian aid to Cuba, including medicines and medical supplies, milk for children, and food, intended for two major pediatric hospital centers in Havana: the 'William Soler' Pediatric Hospital in Arroyo Naranjo and the 'Juan Manuel Márquez' Pediatric Hospital in Marianao, a donation that also includes the Quisicuaba Community Project in the Cuban capital.
In this regard, the Cuban diplomat thanked the generosity, solidarity, and extensive expressions of affection from numerous citizens who, from different corners of the island, have made it possible to organize these shipments to Cuba. “A wonderful initiative,” as Minister Charalambides called it, for which he offered any possible support and the institutional backing of the Ministry of Health of Cyprus.
Embassy of Cuba in Cyprus