“Our relations with Latin America and the Caribbean constitute one of the main pillars of our foreign policy”

Holding a joint press conference with President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez of Cuba, President Erdoğan said: "Our relations with Latin America and the Caribbean constitute one of the main pillars of our foreign policy. I attach importance to enhancing our cooperation and solidarity particularly with Cuba, one of our primary partners in the region."

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez of Cuba held a joint press conference following their meeting and the signing ceremony of agreements at the Presidential Complex.

Recalling that the revolution's leader, Fidel Castro, paid the last Presidential visit from Cuba to Türkiye on the occasion of the Habitat II, held in Istanbul in 1996, President Erdoğan noted: "I, for my part, paid in 2015 the first official visit at the Presidential level from Türkiye to Cuba."

Stating that President Miguel Díaz-Canel's visit is of distinct importance since it coincides with the 70^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, President Erdoğan said that he believes the historic visit will be a new milestone in the Türkiye-Cuba relations.

Once again welcoming President Miguel Díaz-Canel and his delegation, President Erdoğan extended his condolences for those killed in the explosions in Matanzas in August and the hurricane disaster earlier in September.

"I ATTACH IMPORTANCE TO ENHANCING OUR COOPERATION AND SOLIDARITY WITH CUBA"

"As you know, our relations with Latin America and the Caribbean constitute one of the main pillars of our foreign policy," said President Erdoğan, and added: "I attach importance to enhancing our cooperation and solidarity particularly with Cuba, one of our primary partners in the region. I am especially pleased with the recently increasing number of high-level visits from Cuba to our country. For example, this year alone, we have hosted Cuba's Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Speaker of the Parliament, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank, Minister of Tourism, and Minister of Energy and Mines in Türkiye."

All aspects of the Türkiye-Cuba relations were addressed during his meeting with his Cuban counterpart, said President Erdoğan. "We are pleased to see that we have a strong and mutual will to strengthen our cooperation. It is obvious that our relations have remained below their true potential due partly to the unilateral sanctions imposed on Cuba for years."

The two countries reaffirmed their determination to increase their bilateral trade volume to $200 million, pointed out President Erdoğan. "To this end, we have discussed the opportunities to enhance our existing cooperation in areas such as energy, tourism, construction, agriculture, development, health and environment. We are pleased to see our enterprises' interest in Cuba rising notwithstanding the hardships arising from sanctions. I am of the belief that the talks Mr. President will hold with the representatives of our business community, in Istanbul on his way back from China, will be very fruitful."

Drawing attention to the significant contributions the Turkish Airlines, which runs three flights per week between Istanbul and Havana, is making to every aspect of the economic, social and cultural relations, particularly to tourism, President Erdoğan stated: "Turkish enterprises will increase their investments in Cuba in the period ahead with the support of my treasured friend. At a time when food security is high on the global agenda, TIKA will maintain its technical support to agricultural development projects."

"WE WILL BOOST OUR COOPERATION IN HEALTHCARE"

Stressing that Türkiye and Cuba are among the few countries having developed their indigenous vaccines against the Coronavirus, President Erdoğan stated: "In our bilateral meeting, we discussed joint investments in vaccine for the period ahead. As two countries that have strong infrastructure in healthcare, we will further boost our cooperation in this area. The medical teams Cuba deployed to countries with insufficient medical personnel served as a lifeline particularly in Africa. Türkiye, too, with a similar understanding, worked hard to help the people of this continent, which had been exploited throughout centuries."

Expressing his great joy over the fact that Türkiye and Cuba, in this regard, have undertaken a joint project in Equatorial Guinea, President Erdoğan ended his speech as follows: "I once again would like to thank, in your presence, Mr. President and his delegation for their visit, and offer my greetings to the people of Cuba on behalf of myself and my nation. I hope Mr. Miguel Díaz-Canel's visit as well as the decisions we have taken and the agreements signed today may lead to auspicious developments."

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