At noon this Saturday (local time), Political Bureau member and Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz arrived in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a country linked to Cuba by friendship for nearly seven decades and considered one of the most influential in the Arab and Islamic world.
At Riyadh's King Khalid International Airport, the Head of Government was received by the Deputy Ruler of the Saudi capital, Prince Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Abdulaziz, to whom he expressed his satisfaction with this, his first visit to the Kingdom. "It is a pleasure to be here in your country," he said.
Minutes later, in the State Protocol Room, the Head of Government reaffirmed the historic nature of the political and diplomatic ties between the two nations and thanked the Arab country for its contribution to the development of important social programs that benefit the Cuban population.
On the eve of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of relations, he noted that this visit "will benefit the development of our historic ties," while highlighting the Kingdom's support in the fight to lift the unjust US embargo against Cuba, which has lasted more than six decades.
The Prime Minister arrives in the Arab nation to participate in the 9th Future of Investment Initiative Forum, which will bring together more than 5,000 participants, including government, business, and investment leaders from over 90 countries, from October 27 to 30, under the theme "The Key to Prosperity: Opening New Frontiers of Growth." Marrero Cruz will also hold bilateral meetings with senior officials from this nation in the coming days.
Cuba and the Kingdom established diplomatic relations in 1956, which have seen significant growth in recent years in various areas: exchange of visits, trade promotion, medical collaboration, cultural exchange, and cooperation with the Saudi Fund for Development.
The Antillean delegation also includes Carlos Luis Méndez, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment; Elio Rodríguez Perdomo, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Armando Vergara Bueno, Director of North Africa and the Middle East at the Cuban Foreign Ministry; and Miguel Porto Parga, Cuban ambassador to the Arab nation.
Photos: Revolución Studios
With information from Granma
