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17/02/2009
First Irish Minister Visits Cuba
Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin has journeyed to Cuba today on the first official visit to the country by an Irish Government minister.
Mr Martin said the trip is an effort to bolster relations between Ireland and Cuba and a chance to discuss possible areas of economic co-operation.
One of the world's few remaining communist states, Cuba is still undergoing a damaging trade embargo by the United States of America.
The future of the country has been under threat in recent months, however, as one of Cuba's main allies Venezuela underwent a major constitutional referendum.
The country's current leader Raul Castro, who is the younger brother of the retired Fidel, said at the weekend, the future of Cuba depended on the results of the Venezuelan referendum to grant its leader, Hugo Chavez, the ability to be re-elected.
"Our future is inseparable from what happens the day of the referendum on the constitutional amendment," Castro wrote in an editorial published on the Cuba Debate Web site. "There is no alternative but victory."
The referendum was passed yesterday by 51%, ending the restrictions on the limit of its leader's term.
Minister Martin said Cuba's relations with the EU have entered a new phase and he will be discussing a number of issues with the country's officials, including human rights.
The minister is also due to visit the world-renowned Genetic Engineering and Biotech Institute in Havana.
(DW/BMcC)
Mr Martin said the trip is an effort to bolster relations between Ireland and Cuba and a chance to discuss possible areas of economic co-operation.
One of the world's few remaining communist states, Cuba is still undergoing a damaging trade embargo by the United States of America.
The future of the country has been under threat in recent months, however, as one of Cuba's main allies Venezuela underwent a major constitutional referendum.
The country's current leader Raul Castro, who is the younger brother of the retired Fidel, said at the weekend, the future of Cuba depended on the results of the Venezuelan referendum to grant its leader, Hugo Chavez, the ability to be re-elected.
"Our future is inseparable from what happens the day of the referendum on the constitutional amendment," Castro wrote in an editorial published on the Cuba Debate Web site. "There is no alternative but victory."
The referendum was passed yesterday by 51%, ending the restrictions on the limit of its leader's term.
Minister Martin said Cuba's relations with the EU have entered a new phase and he will be discussing a number of issues with the country's officials, including human rights.
The minister is also due to visit the world-renowned Genetic Engineering and Biotech Institute in Havana.
(DW/BMcC)
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