ISLAMABAD, Pakistan. – Roberto Morales Ojeda, Vice-President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba, began an official visit to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, as part of his tour of several Asian nations.

According to Alberto Blanco, director of Asia and Oceania of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Morales Ojeda toured the National Institute of Health of Pakistan, and held a fraternal meeting with its executive director, Aamer Ikram.

Ojeda and Ikram confirmed health is a leading area of the exchange between the two countries, as well as a promising area for further expansion of bilateral cooperation.

The Cuban Vice-president and his delegation visited the Pakistan Monument, inaugurated in 2007, which represents the four provinces and three territories of that Asian country, and is a symbol of Pakistani culture and civilization, through its lotus flower-like design.

Cuba and Pakistan strengthened their diplomatic relations following the 2005 earthquake in that Asian nation, where a contingent of Cuban doctors from the Henry Reeve brigade provided solidarity assistance in the city of Kashmir.