President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, on November 22, received Spanish President Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, who made an official visit to Cuba, the first such trip in 32 years.
Granma, November 23, 2018
The President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, on November 22 received the President of the Kingdom of Spain’s government, his Excellency Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón, on an official visit to Cuba.
During the cordial meeting, the two leaders discussed the positive state of bilateral relations, based on the historical ties that unite our peoples, and agreed to promote them in economic-commercial, cultural, scientific, and academic arenas and in cooperation. They likewise discussed issues on the international agenda. Accompanying the distinguished visitor were Ministers Josep Borrell Fontelles (Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation,) and María Reyes Maroto Illera, (Industry, Commerce and Tourism); Ambassador Juan Fernández Trigo; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary of State for International Cooperation and Ibero-America, and the Caribbean, Juan Pablo de Laiglesia, as well as other members of his delegation. On the Cuban side, Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla participated; along with Minister of Tourism Manuel Marrero Cruz; interim Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, Antonio Carricarte Corona; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Rogelio Sierra Díaz; and Cuba’s ambassador in Spain, Gustavo Machín Gómez; among others from the Foreign Ministry.
IN CONTEXT
- This visit is the first of an official character made by a Spanish Prime Minister to Cuba, since Felipe González did so in 1986.- On September 25, 2018, the Presidents of Cuba and Spain held a meeting in New York within the framework of their collateral activities at the United Nations, where they discussed the need to strengthen bilateral ties based on equality and mutual respect. Pedro Sánchez accepted the invitation of his Cuban counterpart to visit Cuba.