Cuba, Italy explore potential to boost economic cooperation

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez, and his Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni met here Thursday to discuss ways to boost economic exchanges.

They explored cooperation potential in areas such as science, culture, trade, investment, tourism and renewable energy.

"We hope to improve economic cooperation, taking into account the potential of the island, in the context of the actual economic modernization process, especially related to small and medium-size companies as well as cooperatives," Gentiloni told reporters.

"Italy is committed to contributing to the recovery of the cultural heritage of the cities of Havana and Santiago de Cuba," he said.

Rodriguez described Gentiloni's visit as "very timely and significant," and stressed Cuba's "great potential" for cooperation in scientific fields such as biotechnology and pharmaceutical research.

He thanked Italy for participating in negotiations between the EU and Cuba towards a political and cooperation agreement. He also expressed appreciation of Italy's "historical stand" against the U.S.-led embargo against the Caribbean island.

Cuba and Italy established diplomatic relations on Dec. 20, 1903, which were broken off in 1941 during the fascist government of Benito Mussolini, and resumed in 1945. Endite