South Sudan Keen To Develop Ties With Cuba: President - Bernama

JUBA, March 22 (BERNAMA-NNN-PRENSA LATINA) -- South Sudan's President Salva Kiir expressed his government's readiness to develop ties with Cuba in various fields on the basis of the historical friendship between both states.

In a meeting here with Juan Manuel Rodriguez, who presented his credentials as Cuban ambassador to South Sudan, Kiir extended his "warmest greetings" to the people of Cuba and its president, Raul Castro, a diplomatic source said Friday.

Rodriguez, with permanent residence in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, reiterated Havana's readiness to work with the South Sudanese government to boost cooperation in industries such as health, education and the eradication of malaria, among others.

The Cuban Ambassador thanked Kiir for South Sudan's solidarity towards the Cuban people and government, in particular for their support to the resolution condemning the unjust economic, commercial and financial blockade imposed on Cuba by more than half a century by the United States.

South Sudan is the youngest African state and was born on July 11, 2011 after splitting from Sudan as result of a long period of negotiations between the parties.

-- BERNAMA-NNN-PRENSA LATINA