CUBA, Feb 24, 2010. - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva started a working visit to Cuba today at the invitation of Cuban President Raul Castro Ruz with whom he will hold official talks. Lula Da Silva arrived in Havana Tuesday evening and he was received by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez at the Jose Marti international airport. The Brazilian statesman has visited Cuba on several occasions since he took office eight years ago. This time he traveled accompanied by Defense Minister Nelson Jobim, Minister for Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Miguel Joao Jorge Filho, Minister for Agricultural Development Guilherme Cassel, Minister for Social Communication Franklin Martins, among other government representatives. Lula Da Silva is scheduled to meet with other Cuban leaders and to visit modernization works at the Mariel Port in Habana province, to which Brazil has contributed $300 million and technical assistance, according to Granma Internacional. Cuba and Brazil established consular bonds in 1906 and diplomatic relations in 1943. After a break on relations in 1964 as a result of the isolation policy led by the United States and the Organization of American States against Cuba, the two countries reestablished such links on June 26, 1986. Currently, 43 Cuban specialists are working in Brazil in collaboration programs in the sectors of education, health, sports, culture and agriculture. (Cubaminrex - acn) |