On January 10 the official visit of Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian started to Cuba by laying a wreath to the Memorial of Jose Marti, National Hero of Cuba.

In Havana Armenian Foreign Minister was received by Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz, the Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba.

Welcoming Edward Nalbandian the Vice President of theCouncil of Ministers of Cuba stated that Cuba has the warmest attitude towards Armenia and expressed confidence that the first visit of high-ranking Armenian official to Cuba first time in the last decade will give a new impetus to the bilateral relations as well as to the cooperation in multilateral format.

Expressing gratitude for the reception Minister Nalbandian stressed that his visit has a goal to enhance the friendly relations with Cuba and to find new ways of collaboration.

Ricardo Cabrisas Ruiz presented to the Armenian Foreign Minister the reforms undertaken by Cuban Government towards modernization of country’s economy. He underlined that Cuba has willingness to deepen partnership with Armenia in political, economic and other possible areas.

Foreign Minister of Armenia and the Vice President of the Council of Minister of Cuba had a detailed discussion concerning the joint steps towards expanding of cooperation in the areas of trade, economy, healthcare, education, science and culture.

On the same day negotiations between Edward Nalbandian and Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, Foreign Minister of Cuba, were held.

Welcoming the Armenian counterpart’s visit Foreign Minister of Cuba asked to convey the greetings and best wishes of President Raul Castro to the President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan.

Minister Rodriguez pointed out that Cuba highly appreciates Armenian specialists’ contribution in the development of Cuba.

During the meeting the Ministers reaffirmed their countries’ intention in undertaking active steps for enhancing, expanding and deepening relations based on historically formed reciprocal respect and sympathy.

Armenian and Cuban Foreign Ministers held a detailed discussion about the activation of political dialogue, enhancement of cooperation in the framework of international organizations, expanding legal framework, developing trade and economic relations, steps for triggering scientific, educational and cultural exchanges.

In his turn Edwrad Nalbandian presented the priorities of Armenian foreign policy and the efforts of Armenia and international community towards the peaceful settlement of Nagorno-Karabakh issue.

The sides had an exchange of view concerning several issues of regional and international agenda.

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia invited his Cuban colleague to pay a visit to Armenia.
After the ministerial meeting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Cuba gave an official reception in the name of Edward Nalbandian where the leadership of the Foreign Ministry of Cuba and around fifty Havana accredited Ambassadors where present.

On the same day Edward Nalbandian had a meeting with Ana Maria Mari Machado, the Vice President of the Parliament of Cuba.

Vice President of the Parliament of Cuba presented the structure and main areas of activities of the Parliament underlining that Cuban legislative body wants to have its contribution in the enhancement of relations with Armenia.

In this context the sides stressed the necessity of the activation of contacts between Armenian-Cuban friendship groups formed in the two Parliaments which will seriously trigger the cooperation.

During the meeting between Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian and Rodrigo Malmierca Diaz, the Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment, the sides had a detailed discussion on several issues improving trade and economic cooperation.

Minister Malmierca emphasized the interest of Cuban side in deepening of economic cooperation with Armenia and briefed in detail on planned economic reforms and opportunities in the economy of Cuba. In this context the sides touched upon the possibility of establishing interaction between the Chambers of Commerce of the two countries.

Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment of Cuba invited Armenia to participate in Havana International Fair 2014 which will take place in autumn and expressed readiness to provide a free space for an Armenian pavilion.

Ministers stressed the importance of drafting framework economic agreements as an important step for triggering cooperation in this area.

In Havana Edward Nalbandian visited the Center for Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering of Cuba where he had a meeting with the leadership and staff of the center who presented their achievements to the Armenian Foreign Minister. During the conversation the opportunities of establishing collaboration between the Center and respective institutions of the Academy of Sciences of Armenia were discussed.