• Submitted by: manso
• International
• 02 / 07 / 2011

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2011.02.05 - 21:31:19 / radiorebelde.Havana, Cuba.- Acting Cuban Foreign Minister Marcelino Medina met on Friday in this capital with Masashi Mizukami, general director of the Japanese Foreign Ministry’s Bureau for Latin America and the Caribbean.

The two diplomats reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and acknowledged the potential to diversify and expand the economic-commercial bonds and those of cooperation existing between the two countries, which established relations over one hundred years ago.

The meeting was also opportune to tackle topics of interest on the international agenda, the www.cubaminrex.cu Web site reports.

Masashi Mizukami expressed his satisfaction for the development of this visit, his first to the island, and highlighted that it takes place within the framework of the 11th Session of the Cuba-Japan Bilateral Political Talks between foreign ministries.

Medina pointed out that these political talks are an effective mechanism for the promotion of bilateral relations, on the basis of equal sovereignty and mutual respect.

Likewise, he acknowledged the stance of Japan at the UN of constant support for the resolution that condemns the economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba.

Accompanying Masashi Mizukami was Japan’s ambassador to Havana, Masuo Nishibayashi, and other Japanese diplomats.

Cuba was represented by Deputy Foreign Minister Marcos Rodriguez and other officials of the Foreign Ministry.

Cuba and Japan established diplomatic relations in 1902.

Sources from the Japanese embassy to Havana and Granma newspaper underlined the importance of the bilateral technical cooperation agreement signed in October 14, 2009, which facilitates the Caribbean island’s access to new modalities of the aid offered by the Asian state.(ACN)