ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Pakistan and Cuba on Wednesday signed the agreement on the exemption from visa requirement for diplomatic and official passport holders, which would facilitate the travel of the officials of the two Countries.
The Secretary of Ministry of Interior signed the agreement on behalf of Pakistan at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Islamabad.
The Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi and the Cuban Vice President Roberto Morales Ojeda were also present on the occasion.
Earlier both Shah Mahmood Qureshi and Roberto Morales Ojeda held wide-ranging talks along with their delegations at the Ministry.
The foreign minister highlighted the excellent bilateral relations between Pakistan and Cuba. He reiterated Pakistan’s gratitude for the generous and unprecedented support offered by Cuba after the October 2005 earthquake. He added that there was enormous potential for Pakistan and Cuba to enhance cooperation in the health and agricultural sectors.
While appreciating the Cuban advancement in the field of bio-technology, the foreign minister proposed collaboration in research & development for production of life saving vaccines. He also underlined the need to enhancing economic cooperation and people to people exchanges in order to deepen and strengthen the bilateral ties.
Qureshi also briefed the Cuban delegation on India’s unilateral and illegal actions of August 5 in the Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir (IOJ&K). While highlighting the ongoing sufferings of the innocent people, he encouraged Cuba to raise its voice against the human rights violations in IOJ&K.
The foreign minister also offered training opportunities for Cuban diplomats at Pakistan’s Foreign Service Academy in Islamabad.