PM wants Tonga to have Cuban trained doctors [1]
Thursday, December 3, 2009 - 17:12. Updated on Monday, May 26, 2014 - 18:42.
The First Vice-president of the Cuban Councils of State and Ministers, Jose Ramon Machado Ventura, met on Wednesday morning, Dec 2 with Hon. Dr Feleti Sevele, Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, and Minister of Defense from the Kingdom of Tonga, now on an official visit to Cuba.
During the talks, the two leaders acknowledged the good state of bilateral relations and expressed their willingness to work for a greater development and strengthening of the bonds existing between the two island coutries.
Feleti Sevele expressed his satisfaction for this visit - the first one he makes to Cuba - and made reference to the valuable work of Cuban voluntary workers in the world and to his country's interest in deepening its bonds with the island in the health sector. Likewise, he acknowledged the importance of the training of a small group of youngsters from his country as doctors in Cuba.
For his part, the First Vice-president underlined the high priority Cuba gives to its relations with countries in the region of Asia and Oceania and thanked Tonga for its favorable
vote for the Cuban resolution against the economic, financial and commercial blockade imposed by the government of the United States against the Cuban people for almost five decades.
During the meeting, the two leaders spoke about other issues on the international agenda and also about the importance of promoting greater political coordination at multilateral forums.
Accompanying the top visiting official from Tonga were Busby Kautoke, Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, and Dr. Siale Aakauola, Director for Health.
Present for Cuba were Marcelino Medina, acting Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as other officials from the Foreign Ministry. Cuban Embassy New Zealand, 03/12/09.