Rouhani Wants Development of Ties with Cuba

Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in a meeting with Cuban Vice-President Ulises del Toro in Tehran underlined the deeply rooted relations between Tehran and Havana and called for the expansion of ties between the two states, AVA Diplomatic reports.

“Iran and Cuba have Common ideals such as independence and freedom and they have withstood against the hegemonic powers and breaching of nations’ rights,” President Rouhani said.

The Iranian president reiterated that while certain powers are attempting to pressure freedom-seeking nations through sanctions and betrayals, solidarity and resistance of these nations are essential.

The Cuban vice-president, for his part, conveyed President Raul Castro’s congratulatory message to Rouhani, and said that his reelection, which is indicative of Iran’s political stability as well as economic and social development, made the Cuban nation and government happy.

In relevant remarks in January, Cuban Ambassador to Iran Vladimir Andrés González Quesada voiced his satisfaction over the status quo of diplomatic relations between Havana and Tehran.

“Currently the bilateral relations between Cuba and Iran are excellent. The Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Javad Zarif and President Hassan Rouhani paid official visits to Havana in August and September 2016, respectively,” Quesada said.

The Cuban envoy reiterated that the two visits together with others carried out by Cuban authorities to Tehran helped to consolidate political and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

“I believe President Rouhani and the next Iranian government should continue their efforts to expand relations with Latin America in all spheres, including Cuba,” Quesada added.