Thursday, May 24, 2007

Ukrainian -Cuban relations face huge opportunities

Cuba is interested in development of relations with Ukraine, First Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in Ukraine German Ferras told.

Cuban-Ukrainian relations are friendly. Cuba has a long-lasting experience of cooperation with Ukrainian experts, the diplomat said. Cuba is home to 6,000 ethnic Ukrainians, and 500 more are employed by Cuban companies in various sectors. A Ukrainian school operates in Havana, which provides Ukrainian language, history and culture courses for Ukrainian children. The Ukrainian Diaspora in Cuba publishes a newspaper. Active cooperation between Ukraine and Cuba is predetermined by activity of the joint Ukrainian -Cuban Commission, headed by health ministers of both countries. Next sitting of the commission is slated for late May - early June in Kyiv.

Speaking about prospect sectors of cooperation, German Ferras called cooperation in the transport, aviation, fuel, agriculture, tourism, information and education sectors. Cooperation in the sport sector is also of a great value. The Cuban box team will arrive in Kyiv in June to hold training bouts with Ukrainian boxers.

In this context, German Ferras underscored a necessity to develop cooperation in the information sector. Tight contacts between national news agencies will aid development of tight cooperation. Thus, Bolivia is interested in cooperation in gas sector. Another sector to boost cooperation is aviation. Notably, the Latin-American News Agency "Prensa latina" has 24 correspondent departments in South and North America, Africa, Europe and Asia. The agency intends to open several departments in Lebanon and SAR.