Torrijos Thankful for Cuban Solidarity
Havana, Nov 30, 2005. (Prensa Latina) Panamanian President Martin Torrijos expressed gratitude to the Cuban government and people´s unconditional willingness to perform ophthalmologic operations on Panamanians with low income.
"I am visiting Cuba to convey my nation´s appreciation for the Cuban people´s solidarity, in spite of their hardships," asserted Torrijos, in Havana.
Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage, Foreign Affairs Minister Felipe Perez Roque and Government Minister Ricardo Cabrisas, received the visiting leader at the Jose Marti International Airport.
Torrijos arrived in Cuba accompanied by Health Minister Camilo Alleyne, Vice President Dora Jara and government officials and journalists.
Speaking to reporters, he expressed his satisfaction at the normalization of bilateral relations, which he considered that will strengthen cooperation and solidarity.
Torrijos was going to meet with the first Panamanians to be treated in Havana free of charge, part of the Operation Miracle Cuba and Venezuela promote to benefit thousands of Latin American and Caribbean people suffering from eye afflictions.
Patients from Venezuela, Paraguay, Bolivia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, among others, are already here.
Torrijos´ tour of Cuba is his second, following that of August 20 2005, when both nations agreed to resume full diplomatic relations.