Havana, Sept 10(Prensa Latina) President of Cuba Fidel Castro presided over the signing of a cooperation agreement between municipalities from Bolivia and Cuba, a result of the 1st Cuba-Bolivia Municipalities Meeting, local dailies reported.

The agreement signed by President of the Cuban Parliament Ricardo Alarcón, Mayor of Havana Juan Contino and all 71 mayors grouped in a visiting Bolivian delegation is aimed at strengthening friendly, cooperation links between peoples of both nations.

It calls for awarding free scholarships for poor Bolivian young people to study medicine in Cuba, and also for low-income Bolivians with visual problems to be treated by Cuban doctors.

On the other hand, it establishes the implementation of joint programs in education, sports, agriculture and child, youth and old people affairs.

The agreement will begin to be implemented immediately, and could be extended to other Bolivian departments and municipalities which did not take part in the meeting.

During the ceremony, the Bolivian delegation issued a declaration highlighting their unitary rejection of maneouvers against Cuba, and demanded the immediate release of the Five Cuban Heroes unjusty held in US jails.

They also pronounced themselves in favour of the defense and recovery of Bolivian natural resources and territory, and for the right of Latin American peoples to self-determination.

Later, the Bolivian mayors, councillors and officials met with President Fidel Castro.