The President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel, arrived in the United Arab Emirates as part of his tour in the Middle East, prior to his participation in the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP28), and in the Group Summit of the 77+China.
The Cuban head of state, who represents the largest of the Antilles as pro tempore president of the Group of 77 and China, will participate in the 28th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which will meet in Dubai on November 30 to December 12.
Diaz-Canel begins tour of the Middle East
In this sense, the current working visit to the United Arab Emirates precedes those that President Diaz-Canel will make to the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Iran in the coming days.
In the first official visit of a Cuban leader to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Diaz-Canel plans to meet with Mohamad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE and Emir of Abu Dhabi.
The official Cuban delegation accompanying President Díaz-Canel is headed by the member of the Political Bureau and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla, as well as representatives of other ministries, institutions, and the Foreign Ministry.
Upon arrival at Dubai’s Al Maktoum International Airport, the leader of the Caribbean nation was received by the Cuban ambassador to the UAE, Norberto Carlos Escalona Carrillo.
Cuba’s relations with Middle Eastern countries
Relations between Cuba and the United Arab Emirates are characterized by the desire to bring economic and commercial ties to the high level that marks the closeness in the political and diplomatic spheres.
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Likewise, Cuba and Iran have strengthened their ties, especially since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Both countries are actively collaborating in the joint production of a vaccine against this viral disease, which has given new impetus to their bilateral relationship.
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On the other hand, Qatar has maintained close ties with Havana, evidenced by the sending of Cuban medical personnel. In December 2019, the Qatari Ministry of Health recognized Dukhan Cuban Hospital with the Annual Stars of Excellence Award.
