Doha, Qatar.- Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez was received this Sunday by the Emir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, at the start of his official visit to this Persian Arabian Gulf country.
The reception ceremony took place at the Lusail Palace, where the President arrived along with several ministers, vice ministers and directors of the Cuban Foreign Ministry who accompanied him on a tour of the Middle East. He previously visited the United Arab Emirates and will visit Iran from Monday.
“We are very pleased about his visit,” said the Qatari head of state, who was always very close and friendly with the Caribbean president during his stay in his residence. The emir described relations with Cuba as “historic, ancient, it is a relationship that we are very honored,” he said in the first minutes of the talks to which the press had access.
Díaz-Canel, who arrives in this Arab country for the first time, said: “It is a joy and an honor that you have welcomed us.” For us, he emphasized, this visit is of great importance.
(Photo: Aleandro Azcuy)
An official statement released here reported that the Emir praised Qatari-Cuban cooperation, particularly in the areas of investment, trade exchanges and medicine.
Regarding the international issues raised, both parties referred, according to the text, “in particular to the development of the situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories.”
They stressed, the note continued, the importance of reducing tensions, achieving a lasting ceasefire and protecting the civilian population.
A few hours later, Al-Thani posted on the social network Our expanded discussions in Doha were about mutual opportunities to strengthen our economic ties. “We discussed the latest developments in the situation in the Gaza Strip and will work to improve the coordination of our joint efforts in international forums to stop Israeli aggression and achieve lasting peace for occupied Palestine.”
Díaz-Canel also wrote
During this official visit of Díaz-Canel to Qatar, which will last only one day, the President met with thirty important Qatari businessmen. Also included in the program is a visit to the Cuban Hospital Duckhan, which is considered a benchmark in the region and has earned several awards. (Leticia Martínez Hernández)