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Islamabad, September 15, 2012 (PPI-OT): Chairman Senate Syed Nayyer Hussian Bokhari met with Minister for Foreign Affairs of Cuba Mr. Bruno Parrilla and Minister for Higher Education Mr. Rodolfo Alarcon. He was accompanied by Senator Saeed Ghani, Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan, Senator Nuzhat Sadiq, Secretary Senate Mr. Iftikhar Ullah Babar and Ambassador of Pakistan to Cuba Mr. Khalilullah Qazi. says a press release received here today from Havana.
Pakistan Senate delegation is on an official visit to Cuba from 13 to 17 September 2012. It is the highest level bilateral visit from Pakistan to Cuba.
Pakistan and Cuba enjoy cordial and cooperative relations. Cuba had sent more than 2500 doctors and paramedics to Pakistan in the aftermath of the devastating earthquake in 2005. The Cuban medical contingent remained in Pakistan for more than six months, under the leadership of Mr. Bruno Parrilla, in his capacity as the then First Deputy Foreign Minister of Cuba. Subsequently, Cuba offered a fully funded scholarship programme for Pakistani students, mainly from the earthquake affected area. 907 Pakistani students are currently studying medicine in various universities of Cuba, under the scholarship programme. Accordingly, during his stay in Cuba, Chairman Senate and members of his delegation will also be meeting Pakistani students.
During his meetings with the Cuban Ministers, Chairman Senate conveyed good wishes from the people of Pakistan to the people of Cuba, gratitude for the assistance extended by Cuba after the earthquake and Pakistan’s desire to strengthen political, economic and cultural relations. He underlined biotechnology, pharmaceuticals and higher education as promising areas for further cooperation between the two countries. He also observed that exchange of trade delegations would be helpful in enhancing trade between the two countries.
Foreign Minister of Cuba reciprocated the sentiments expressed by Chairman Senate, recalled fond memories of his stay amidst the friendly people of Pakistan in 2005-2006 and expressed Cuba’s readiness to enhance bilateral relations in various fields of mutual interest.
Chairman Senate and Minister for Higher Education of Cuba exchanged views about the system of higher education in the two countries and how each country could benefit from the strengths of the other in this field.
In the morning, Chairman Senate and members of his delegation visited the Memorial to Jose Marti, Cuban national hero. Chairman Senate also laid a wreath at the Memorial.
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