Today at the National Assembly House, a delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Cuba, headed by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dagoberto Rodriguez Barrera, met separately with the head of the “Forward Serbia” Deputy Group Tomislav Nikolic and members of the National Assembly’s Serbian-Cuban Friendship Group. The meetings were attended by the newly-appointed Cuban Ambassador in Belgrade Mercedes Martinez Valdes.

The officials exchanged information on the current political situation in Cuba and in Serbia, as well as on some current issues concerning international relations. They agreed in their estimate that the economic crisis has afflicted all countries and compromised international security.

Expressing pleasure at the meeting, Tomislav Nikolic reminded that the two countries and nations share a true friendship, mutual understanding and many similarities. He thanked the Cuban state and Government for their staunch and principled support of Serbia’s efforts to preserve its territorial integrity.

The representative of the Cuban Foreign Ministry, Rodriguez Barrera stressed that opposition to extreme capitalism defends the basic tenets and legacies of the Cuban revolution, adding that in recent years other Latin American countries have joined the battle. He said that Cuba primarily cooperates with Russia, China and Latin American countries, but that it encounters problems when cooperating with European Union countries. Also, Cuba is active in the Non-Aligned Movement and assists Third World countries, Rodriguez Barrera said.

He said that despite the economic, trade and financial blockade by the USA and the constant struggle to preserve its independence, Cuba records an economic growth and manages to ensure a high level of social care for its citizens through free health care, education and other types of social welfare.

The members of the National Assembly’s Serbian-Cuban Friendship Group, headed by Tomislav Nikolic, its president, also met with the Cuban official. On the occasion they discussed the potential for furthering parliamentary cooperation via friendship groups, cooperation of competent committees and parliamentary delegation visits. They stressed that both countries are interested in improving trade, expanding agricultural cooperation, as well as cooperation in the spheres of health care, culture, tourism and more.