New Zealand, Cuba Agree to Boost Bilateral Ties


Cuban Vice President Ricardo Cabrisas and New Zealander Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Murray McCully, agreed in this capital to strengthen and diversify bilateral ties, official sources reported today.

According to a note released by the press, Cabrisas received yesterday McCully, who is on a state visit.

Besides promoting trade and cooperation ties, the two officials talked about international issues, and the situation in Cuba, including updating the economic model implemented in the Caribbean country.

Prior that meeting, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez met with the visitor at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign affairs.

During the meeting, the two sides expressed willingness to strengthen bilateral cooperation in fields such as medicine and education.

 5,000 New Zealanders, have learned how to read and write through the Cuban method "Yo, si puedo" (Yes, I can).

By 2006, more than 5,000 New Zealanders, of Maori ethnicity, learned how to read and write through the Cuban method "Yo, si puedo" (Yes, I can).

Rodriguez highlighted the Oceania country's stance in defense of international law and the freedom of trade and navigation, and in rejection to unilateral coercive measures and extraterritorial laws.

Havana and Wellington established diplomatic relations in February 1999, ties that currently have an expression in the food sector.