Kenny D. Anthony, the prime minister of St. Lucia, begins an official visit to Cuba this Monday, during which he will hold official talks with President Fidel Castro and other Cuban leaders, as well as visiting sites of scientific, economic, cultural and social interest.

The visit constitutes an expression of the reciprocal willingness to continue widening political and cooperative links and will contribute to strengthening the excellent relationship which already exists between the two countries, confirms a note published May 22 in Granma daily.

Anthony, who was awarded the Order of José Martí by Fidel in 1999, in agreement with the Council of State of the Republic of Cuba, is accompanied by an important delegation from his country’s government.

Elected as prime minister of his country on May 23, 1997 and reelected for a new mandate in November, 2001, the eminent visitor also holds the portfolios for Finances and Economic and Information Affairs.

He is also the leader of the Labor Party of St. Lucia.

The two nations established diplomatic relations on August 23, 1979 and from that date, Cuba has offered considerable cooperation to St. Lucia, principally in the fields of healthcare and human resources training.

By virtue of this cooperation, 235 St. Lucian scholarship students have been enrolled in Cuban educational centers, 214 of them at university level. There are currently 162 students undertaking courses in the areas of health, sports, and other disciplines.

At the same time, more than 1,700 patients from St. Lucia have received operations in Cuba as part of Operation Miracle; a joint project between Cuba and Venezuela which gives poor citizens from Latin America and the Caribbean the possibility of regaining their sight.