• Submitted by: manso
• Politics and Government
• 09 / 09 / 2011

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September 9 2011 at 12:11pm. REUTERS. Iran and Cuba signed a raft of economic and commercial agreements during a visit by a high-level delegation from Tehran aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries, officials said.

Havana -Iran and Cuba signed a raft of economic and commercial agreements during a visit by a high-level delegation from Tehran aimed at strengthening ties between the two countries, officials said.

The agreements announced late on Thursday capped off a visit to the communist island by the delegation led by Iranian Vice President Mohammad Reza Rahimi, who met Cuban President Raul Castro earlier in the day.

The two “discussed the excellent state of bilateral relations and the willingness to work towards strengthening economic and commercial (ties)” according to an official statement read on local news.

Cuba's Foreign Trade and Investment Minister Rodrigo Malmierca, speaking to reporters, stressed the importance of the agreements and said Cuba would work “tirelessly” to make sure they benefit both countries.

Cuba and Iran, which both figure on a US blacklist of alleged state sponsors of terrorism, have grown closer in recent years.

Bilateral trade totaled $27 million in 2009, dropping off from $46 million the previous year as the global recession hit.

In 2009, the two countries formed a joint venture to produce refrigerators and other small appliances for the Cuban market, in addition to parts for the railroad industry.

The Iranian delegation was expected in Ecuador on Friday, where Rahimi was to meet with leftist President Rafael Correa, who has also had tense relations with Washington. - Sapa-AFP


Source: www.pretorianews.co.za/cuba-iran-sign-deal-1.1134494