The Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of Cuba in Nepal, resident in India, Abel Aballe Despaigne, paid an official visit to Kathmandu, where he was received by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arzu Rana Deuba.
During the cordial meeting, they highlighted the historic relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, which will reach their 50th anniversary on March 25, 2025, as well as the common interest in strengthening and diversifying ties.
The Nepalese Foreign Minister expressed gratitude for the presence of a Cuban medical brigade after the earthquake that hit Nepal in 2015, as well as the scholarship for medical studies that the Cuban government grants every year to students from Nepal. She reiterated also the traditional support to the Cuban people in their struggle against the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the U.S. government.
The Cuban diplomat, for his side, thanked the historic support of the Nepalese government and people in our struggle against the blockade, as well as the dissimilar expressions of support. He updated on the current situation in our country and the significant impact of the inclusion of Cuba in the spurious list of State sponsors of terrorism. He also highlighted the potential for strengthening collaboration in areas of interest such as the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry and medical cooperation, particularly in the fight against diseases such as cancer, diabetes and neurodegenerative diseases.
The Cuban Chargé d'Affaires a.i. was also received by the Foreign Secretary, Sewa Lamsal, and by the General Secretary in charge of Multilateral Affairs at the Nepalese Foreign Ministry, Amrit Bahadur Rai.Both meetings ratified the willingness of the two governments to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between the countries and to continue evaluating the potentialities for this purpose. They also addressed issues of the international agenda, cooperation and exchange in the multilateral space, within the framework of the NAM, the 77+China Group, among others.
During his visit to Nepal, the Cuban diplomat also held several meetings with parliamentarians, leaders of political forces, as well as youth and student organizations in the country. During the exchanges, the willingness to continue strengthening the ties of friendship and solidarity between both peoples was ratified. Likewise, they ratified their unwavering support in our struggle against the blockade and the elimination of Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
