Cuban VP expected today

CUBAN Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa is expected to arrive in Zimbabwe for a three-day official visit during which he is expected to meet with President Mnangagwa.

He is coming in place of President Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, who had been scheduled to visit after attending the G77+ China Summit in Kampala, Uganda.

Speaking after paying a courtesy call on Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister Ambassador Frederick Shava yesterday, Cuban Charge D’Affaires, Ambassador Yenielys Vilma Regueiferos Linares, said VP Mesa would also visit Tanzania from Zimbabwe.

“We are preparing for the arrival of the Vice President of the Republic of Cuba who is arriving in Zimbabwe (today) after participating in the G77+ China and Non Aligned Movement summits in Uganda. Afterwards, he is paying a visit to Tanzania,” she said.

Ambassador Linares said the meeting with Ambassador Shava had also focused on how the two countries could update and strengthen bilateral relations.

They also discussed the links between Zimbabwe and Cuba as well as the diplomatic relations that span decades.

“It was very pleasant and I thanked the Minister for receiving us and for all the support that Zimbabwe has given us in all these years that we have suffered the economic blockade.

“And for us, it’s very important to thank Zimbabwe,” said Ambassador Linares.

She highlighted the collaboration between Zimbabwe and Cuba in the health and education sectors which she said was bearing fruit.

“We have 16 Cuban members of the medical brigade in Zimbabwe. They are working not only in Harare but also in other provinces of the country. We have four lecturers at Bindura University (of Science Education).

“But everything that can be done in order to strengthen the cooperation and having more medical personnel in Zimbabwe can be done, and it is possible, and it will be an environment that will help both countries.”

Ambassador Shava expressed gratitude that President Diaz-Canel had assigned VP Valdes to pay an official visit to Zimbabwe from today until January 27.

“I am most gratified that relations between our two sister countries are excellent. Zimbabwe holds your revolutionary and principled leadership in high esteem and cherishes the strong bonds of friendship that were sealed during the struggle for Zimbabwe’s liberation and have endured to this day.”

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