ECUADOR, January 14, 2007.- Ecuadorian President-elect Rafael Correa met Sunday with Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage and sent a greeting to Cuban leader Fidel Castro wishing him a speedy recovery. Lage also held talks Sunday with outgoing President Alfredo Palacio. Correa, who takes office on Monday, spoke with Cuban journalists at the end of his meeting with Lage. "Cuba and Latin America are one single nation. The time has come to search for our common destiny." He then sent a message of gratitude to the Cuban people for the help provided to Ecuadorians through eye care and literacy programs. Asked about the future of relations between the two countries, the Ecuadorian leader spoke about Cuba’s generic drug industry. "Here we euphemistically speak about free healthcare while people die at hospital doors because they don’t have a few dollars. This is going to end and one of the ways we hope to achieve this is by importing high-quality generic low-cost medicine such as those produced by Cuba." Correa also cited other successful Cuban experiences including a series of initiatives implemented to save energy called the Energy Revolution. Shortly after his arrival to Quito, Lage told the Cuban media that Correa’s election is undoubtedly an expression of the changes occurring in Latin America, "where the traditional party system is practically dead in the water." Lage added that new leaders such as Evo Morales, Hugo Chavez and Daniel Ortega are bringing a totally different approach, "each with his own particular reality, but without a doubt from a progressive and leftist point of view that focuses on social issues with a sincere and profound concern to resolve the needs of the people." Breaking protocol, Lage walked through a main thoroughfare in Quito and was surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of friends of Cuba, who presented him with flowers and fruits as tokens of gratitude, while they held placards with slogans alluding to independence heroes Jose Marti and Simon Bolivar. "Relations with Ecuador are very good, excellent, of respect and friendship, and I believe that with the new government these ties should strengthen," the Cuban vice president told the press. Carlos Lage heads the Cuban delegation to the swearing-in ceremony of President Correa. The Cuban entourage also includes Yillian Jimenez Exposito, vice foreign minister; Benigno Perez Fernandez, Cuba’s ambassador to Ecuador; and Roberto Yepe, an official from the Council of Ministers. By Elsa Claro. (Cubaminrex- Granma)
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