YEREVAN. – Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian’s official visit to Cuba kicked off Friday with the laying of a wreath to the monument of Cuba’s National Hero, José Martí.   

In capital city Havana, Armenia’s FM was received by Ricardo Cabrisas Ruíz, Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, informs the Armenian MFA press service.   

Ruíz noted that Cuba has a very warm disposition toward Armenia, and he expressed confidence that this high-level visit will give new impetus to bilateral relations and multilateral cooperation between the two countries.    

In turn, Nalbandian stressed that his visit aims to strengthen Armenia’s relations with Cuba.  

The Vice President of the Cuban Council of Ministers highlighted that his country stands ready to deepen cooperation with Armenia.

Nalbandian and Ruíz discussed the joint steps to be taken to expand cooperation between both countries. 

On the same day, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian held talks with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodríguez.

Rodríguez asked Nalbandian to convey Cuban leader Raúl Castro’s greetings and best wishes to Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.   

The Cuban FM noted that his country highly appreciates the contribution of Armenian specialists who worked in Cuba for several decades.

The two ministers reaffirmed their countries’ interest in taking active steps to expand relations, and they discussed the joint actions to be taken in numerous domains.

In terms of tourism promotion, they underscored the facilitation of entry to Cuba for the Armenian citizens.   

In addition, minister Nalbandian presented the priorities of Armenia’s foreign policy, and the ongoing efforts by Armenia and the international community toward a pacific settlement to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.  

The interlocutors exchanged views on several regional and international matters.

Armenia’s FM also invited his Cuban counterpart to visit capital city Yerevan. 

Following the ministerial meeting, the Cuban FM gave a formal reception in honor of Armenia’s  foreign minister.