Official Reception for Brazilian President in Cuba

Havana, Jan 31. -Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff will be received on Tuesday by Cuban authorities at an official ceremony, on the occasion of her State visit to Havana, aimed at strengthening relations between her country and Cuba. The stateswoman will also pay tribute to Cuban National Hero Jose Marti, and will meet with the president of the Council of Ministers and the Council of State, Raul Castro.

Rousseff arrived in Havana on Monday to pay an official visit until Wednesday, when she will travel to Haiti.

Her stay is an example of the strengthening of relations with Cuba, a country with which Brazil has cooperated in sectors such as education and agriculture.

After Venezuela, Brazil is Cuba's second major trading partner in Latin America. At present, it participates in the enlargement works in the western port of Mariel.

Brazil also supplies technology and assistance to a project to produce soy and corn.

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1943. Ties have been strengthened since Presidents Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2003-2010) and Rousseff (January 1, 2011) took office.

According to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this visit is "an opportunity to deepen growing bilateral dialogue and cooperation, which has grown and diversified significantly over the past few years."

Havana and Brasilia are members of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC). (Prensa Latina)