IN the morning of Monday, 23rd November, José Ramón Machado Ventura, first vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, received the Honorable Stephen Smith, foreign minister of the Commonwealth of Australia, who is on an official visit to our country.

During the meeting, the Cuban first vice president highlighted the prospects of strengthening the relationship between Australia and Cuba in a variety of fields, and mentioned the ambience of mutual respect in which these bilateral links are being developed.

In this context, the two leaders discussed the disposition of their respective nations to develop projects in the spheres of science, culture, sport and trade, as well as issues of interest in the international arena.

For his part, the Australian foreign minister expressed his satisfaction at this visit – the first that he has made to the island – and highlighted the importance that his government affords to multilateralism in the area of international relations. Likewise, he commented that this represents an opportunity for our countries with respect to mutual cooperation and the exchange of opinions within the framework of multilateral forums.

Accompanying the distinguished visitor was Her Excellency Mrs. Katrina Cooper, the Australian ambassador in Cuba; Elizabeth Petrovic, ministerial advisor, and John Woods, director for Latin America and Canada at the Australian Foreign Ministry.

Present on the Cuban side was Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, as well as other Foreign Ministry officials.