Havana, Sep 2 (AIN) Colombia's House of Representatives has awarded the Grand Cross of the Simon Bolivar Order of Democracy to Cuba, for the island's work in educating hundreds of young Colombians.

The prestigious order was presented by Julio Gallardo, president of the House of Representatives, to the outgoing Cuban ambassador in Bogota, Luis Hernandez, reported Granma newspaper.

During the presentation, Julio Gallardo thanked the Cuban ambassador for his efforts aimed at improving the quality of life for young Colombians, saying that the ambassador's work "helped us believe in the future of our country." Gallardo
highlighted the historical, commercial, cultural and educational ties between Cuba and Colombia adding that cooperation is one of the best ways for Colombians and Cubans to come closer together and strengthen relations.

The leader of the House also mentioned how supportive Cuba has been in conciliation talks between Colombians.

Wilson Borja, the Columbian parliamentary representative who nominated Cuba for the decoration, also spoke at the ceremony calling attention to the 80 Colombians who graduated this year from Havana's Latin American School of Medicine.

Borja said that in their six years of study in Cuba, the young Colombians of humble origins were privileged to receive the opportunity to benefit from one of the most important achievements of the Cuban revolution, education.