Pedro Sánchez arrives in Cuba to re-launch relations between Spain and the Caribbean island

Havana (Cuba)

In the first day of his visit, President of the Government Sánchez held a meeting with his Cuban counterpart, Miguel Díaz-Canel, to extend the talks which began at their recent meeting in September in New York, within the framework of the General Assembly of the United Nations.

During the meeting, President of the Government Sánchez expressed to Miguel Díaz-Canel the "privileged" position that Latin America, and particularly Cuba, holds in Spain's foreign action and he conveyed the Spanish Government's desire to actively accompany the country in the transition process and opening up to the world, that it is currently immersed in, as well as the interest of Spanish companies in contributing to the country's economic development, and reiterated the commitment of Spanish Cooperation to Cuba.

Furthermore, and for the sake of the interest of both governments in normalising political relations, Pedro Sánchez and Miguel Díaz-Canel signed two memoranda of understanding, one that establishes a mechanism for political consultations, the first of this kind that Cuba has adopted as a country, and shows Spain's interest in actively contributing to the reform process through advisory and technical assistance programmes. The second memorandum is on cultural cooperation, with the aim of freely spreading Spanish culture in Cuba.

President of the Government Sánchez reiterated Spain's support for Cuba's relations with the European Union to Miguel Díaz-Canel, and particularly expressed his desire to continue engaging in dialogue on human rights that has begun between the European Union and the island. Furthermore, this is the first visit by an EU leader to Cuba since Miguel Díaz-Canel was invested as President.

In their talks, they also addressed the serious crises in Venezuela and Nicaragua, together with their effects throughout the whole region of Latin America.

Economic, trade and cultural relations

Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la BellacasaThe trip by the President of the Government to Cuba is characterised by a major economic-business dimension, since Spain is the third largest trading partner and the country with the largest number of companies on the island - some 200. Accordingly, Pedro Sánchez was accompanied by representatives of the whole Spanish business fabric, with whom he will hold a working breakfast to explore ways to enhance the position and presence of Spanish companies in Cuba.

Following this working breakfast, President of the Government Sánchez will inaugurate the Spain-Cuba Business Forum, organised jointly by the Spanish Institute for Foreign Exchange, the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations and the Cuban Chamber of Commerce, to analyse the different possibilities for business relations between Spain and Cuba in such sectors as infrastructures, renewable energies, tourism and investment where Spanish companies have a high presence.

Following the Business Forum, the President of the Government will visit "Habana Vieja", where he will tour the old town with the city historian Eusebio Leal, with the aim of commemorating the 500th anniversary of its foundation next year, paying close attention to those parts that have been remodelled by Spanish Cooperation. At the start of his tour, an official act will take place to hand over the "Silla de Maceo", a souvenir of our common history, and a gesture of friendship towards the Cuban people, for its exhibition in the City Museum of Havana for a period of two years. Subsequently, he will inaugurate the architectural drawing exhibition "Archipaper", produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation by the design and architecture studio LAB26, with the aim of projecting Spanish culture in Cuba in a normal manner.

The President of the Government will then go to the Spanish Embassy at lunchtime, where he is due to meet with the Spanish colony resident in Cuba - there are currently some 140,000 Spanish nationals on the island.

The last event of the day will be a meeting with representatives of Cuban civil society.

Non official translation