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Uruguayan President Said Talks with Raul Castro Were Positive

HAVANA, Cuba , June 19 Uruguayan President Dr. Tabare Vazquez, described the talks held with his Cuban couterpart Raul Castro, as positive.

"It was a very good dialogue, a positive one. I think we're making progress," said the Latin American head of state after laying a wreath by the bust of Uruguay's National Hero Jose Gervasio Artigas, located at Havana's Parque de la Fraternidad, on the 244th anniversary of his birth.
He also placed a wreath by the statue of José Martí, in Havana's Central Park.

Tabare announced that later on in the day a series of agreements would be signed and noted that the deals would further improve the bilateral relations between the two countries, which were re-established on March 1, 2005.

The Uruguayan president stated that he will work hard from the commercial point of view, in order to improve bilateral trade - currently favourable to Uruguay. He added that he also discussed with his hosts issues related to food and fuel and their high price on the international market.

Likewise, Uruguay's foreign minister, Gonzalo Fernandez, made reference to the meaning of Cuba's National Hero, Jose Marti for the two peoples.

Marti was Uruguay's Consul General in New York from 1884 and represented the South American country at the International Monetary Conference held in Washington in 1891, explained Fernandez.

Marti's brilliant performance and his love for Artigas' homeland made Uruguayan President Jose Batlle Ordoñez and Foreign Minister Baltasar Brum propose a tribute to Marti in the Parliament in 1914. Thus, four years later, a sculptural frieze was placed by the monument to the Cuban apostle in the Central Park, added the Foreign Minister.

Accompanying the Uruguayan president for the two ceremonies were Carlos Manuel Valenciaga, member of the Cuban Council of State; deputy foreign minister, Alejandro Gonzalez; Juan Contino, president of the Provincial Assembly of the Peoples' Power (Parliament); and Havana City Historian Eusebio Leal. Also present were Uruguayan First Lady María Auxiliadora Delgado de Vazquez and the official delegation visiting Cuba . (Cubaminrex- ACN)