MONTEVIDEO. ─ On his first day in office, President Tabaré Vázquez received Army General Raúl Castro Ruz and the delegation accompanying him at the Suarez and Reyes presidential residence, where the President of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay traditionally resides.
For almost three hours, they spoke about the relations between their two countries and the need to further strengthen the links that they have historically maintained. It was especially noted that Cuba will continue to support social development projects undertaken by the Frente Amplio (Broad Front), especially in the area of health with Operation Miracle, which has restored sight to thousands of Uruguayans.
A statement released by the Uruguayan presidential office to accredited press, noted that Raúl and Tabaré assessed the achievements made in bilateral cooperation and identified new objectives in sectors such as education and training of human resources, social development, as well as the fields of science and technology. They also discussed the possibilities of increasing trade relations and promoting joint investments.
According to reports, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the results of the meeting and agreed it will allow them to advance toward a broader and more dynamic bilateral agenda.
The Uruguayan President reiterated his solidarity and affection for Cuba, just as he did when, after assuming the presidency for his previous term (2005 to 2010), he immediately restored diplomatic relations with the island.
Also present during the friendly dialogue was the Cuban delegation accompanying Raúl, composed of by Ricardo Cabrisas, vice president of the Council of Ministers; Roberto Morales Ojeda, minister of Public Health; Antonio Carricarte Corona, acting minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; Marcelino Medina González, first deputy Foreign minister; as well as Mercedes Vicente Sotolongo, Cuba’s ambassador in Uruguay.
Uruguayan Vice President Raúl Sendic; Foreign Minister Rodolfo Nin Novoa; Tabaré Aguerre, minister of Livestock, Agriculture and Fisheries; as well as the ministers of Health and Social Development and Industry, Jorge Basso Marina Arismendi and Carolina Cosse, respectively, were also in attendance.
It is worth noting that the presidential residence where the exchange took place has not been inhabited by Mujica or Tabaré, who have both preferred to continue living in their own homes after taking office. The site is currently only used for official purposes.
In the evening Raúl, First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, met with Eduardo Lorier, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Uruguay, at this hotel, together with other members of the political party which also forms part of the Frente Amplio, which for the third consecutive term is leading the Uruguayan nation. This proved yet another occasion to underline the bonds that exist between the two parties and peoples.
The Army General’s visit to the Uruguayan capital was extensively reported by the local press, whose headlines repeatedly stressed the ovation that Raúl received when greeting Tabaré in Montevideo’s Plaza Independencia (Independence Square) following his inauguration, the meetings he had with Uruguayan leaders and the bestowing of the Key to the City of Montevideo on the Cuban leader. Such have been the reports of this successful visit which has brought Cuba and Uruguay even closer, two nations with historical ties that, following recent days in Montevideo, will continue to be strengthened further.
