On Monday, May 23, President Alexander Lukashenko noted his country’s desire to expand cooperation ties with Cuba in agriculture and other spheres of economic importance, during a meeting with the First Vice President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers, Miguel Díaz-Canel.
During the almost hour-long encounter, which took place in Independence Palace, the European leader highlighted the growth of cooperation opportunities arising from the updating of Cuba’s economic model.
![The President of Belarus (left) receives the First Vice President of Cuba. Photo: Prensa Latina](https://www.trabajadores.cu/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/lukashenko-diaz-canel.x10671.jpg)
We have established a broad legal base with government agreements which facilitate the secure growth of cooperation, stated Lukashenko.
The President of Belarus reiterated his invitation to the President of Cuba’s Councils of State and Ministers, Raúl Castro, to visit the European nation.
I would also like to convey a warm greeting to my friend, Comandante Fidel Castro, with whom I hope to discuss important international issues when I return to Cuba, stated Lukashenko.
For his part, Díaz-Canel conveyed greetings to the European leader on behalf of the President of the Councils of State and Ministers, Raúl Castro, and expressed the country’s willingness to strengthen bilateral relations, which he described as excellent and based on the deep ties of friendship between the two peoples.
He likewise emphasized the contribution of the Belarus to establishing peace in the region through the search for a negotiated and non-violent solution to the conflict in Ukraine.
Díaz-Canel reaffirmed Cuba’s rejection of attempts to extend NATO forces eastward, an action which threatens both regional and global stability. (PL)