Cuba, Japan Sign Cooperation AgreementsCuba and Japan on Friday signed three cooperation agreements aimed at strengthening bilateral ties.Japan's special envoy, former prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto, witnessed the signing of the documents by officials from both countries. Under the agreements, Japan will provide modern sound equipment for the Grand Theater of Havana and two ambulances for the eastern Santiago province. Tokyo also promised to offer financial assistance to electrify settlements in rural areas at the Juventud Island, which is predominantly resided by descendants of Japanese immigrants. With the inking of the three agreements on Friday, the number of cooperation pacts signed between Cuba and Japan has risen to 14 worth 910,000 U.S. dollars so far. Hashimoto, who arrived here Thursday for a three-day visit, expressed confidence over further cooperation with Cuba for better ties. "If we make an effort we can further develop bilateral relations," said the former prime minister, who also met on Friday with representatives of the Japanese community in Cuba. Also on Friday, Hashimoto met separately with Vice President of Cuba's Council of State Carlos Lage and Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque on bilateral relations, particularly on the possibility of increasing the number of Japanese tourists to the island nation. Cuba and Japan, which established diplomatic relations in the early 1900s, severed ties in 1941-1951 due to World War II. Cuban leader Fidel Castro visited Japan in November 1995 in a bid to revive relations and particularly to further exchange and cooperation in the areas of trade and economy. |
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