Cuba, Paraguay Foster Bilateral Ties

Havana, Aug 27. -The 6th Meeting of the Cuba-Paraguay Consultative Mechanism ends on Friday in this capital, with the presence of their respective foreign ministers, Bruno Rodriguez and Hector Lacognata.

At the start of their talks, Lacognata expressed satisfaction at the progress made by the two nations' technical teams.

"Our bilateral agenda has progressed a lot in the last few years, and among the activities scheduled in foreign policy, this visit to Havana has had an important role," Lacognata stated.

Rodriguez said the Paraguayan's visit would contribute to the further development of excellent bilateral relations and help to identify new common projects for strengthening historic ties of friendship, solidarity and affection.

He also acknowledged Paraguay's support for Cuba, especially its stance in international organizations and the struggle to end the US blockade.

Lacognata stated that his country would take a forceful stance in the next UN assembly against Washington's blockade of Cuba.

"We will demand the release of the five Cuban antiterrorist fighters unfairly imprisoned in US jails since September 12, 1998," the Paraguayan diplomat said.

Lacognata expressed the sincerest gratitude on behalf of President Fernando Lugo and the Paraguayan government for the ongoing cooperation received from the Caribbean island in several fields.

Cuba and Paraguay established diplomatic relations in 1902, but they were broken off on September 5, 1960, and later reestablished at a consular level on August 1, 1996, and then at a diplomatic level on November 8, 1999.

Links are currently friendly and cooperative. Some 21 Cuban collaborators are now working in Paraguay, 18 of them as part of Operation Miracle, a program that provides free treatment of eye afflictions. (Prensa Latina)