MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida began his first ever visit to Cuba on Friday to strengthen friendly relations between the two countries, Japan's NHK broadcasting company reported.
Kishida became Japan's first foreign minister to visit Cuba. Tokyo's interest in the Caribbean island has grown amid the thaw in US-Cuba relations, with Havana being considered a promising partner for investment and development of economic ties.
"There are prospects for the development of friendly relations between Japan and Cuba… I also call for the strengthening of the economic ties between our two countries," NHK quoted Kishida as saying at the meeting of Cuba-Japan Friendship Association earlier in the day.
During his stay in Cuba, due to last until May 3, the Japanese foreign minister is expected to meet with his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez and with the Council of Ministers Chairman, Ricardo Cabrisas, to discuss bilateral trade and investment issues.
Japan's diplomatic relations with Cuba were established in 1929.
