Havana, Cuba.- Cuba ratified the ties of friendship and willingness to cooperate with Namibia and Cape Verde during the visit this week by senior officials from these countries.

Namibian Vice President Nangolo Mbumba and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Communities of Cape Verde Luis Filipe Lopes expressed their satisfaction for the high level of exchange of their respective countries with Cuba, while calling for strengthening ties.

Since his arrival in Havana last Wednesday, Mbumba has fulfilled a tight agenda that included a visit to the Memorial to Veterans of Independence War in the Colon cemetery, at which he placed a wreath, expressing his gratitude to the fighters who fell in the struggles for the liberation of Africa.

In addition, he chaired the ceremony for the 40th anniversary of the Cassinga massacre, perpetrated on May 4, 1978 by South African army forces against a Namibian refugee camp in that Angolan territory.

The day before, he was received by the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba, Raúl Castro, with whom he exchanged about the priorities of both nations and highlighted the historical ties that unite both peoples.

For his part, Lopes said he was very honored to be in Cuba for the first time and reiterated his country’s willingness to strengthen ties, especially in the diplomatic and defense fields.

In this regard, he signed an agreement with Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez on Friday to promote long-term cooperation on regional and international issues.

Lopes was also received by Vice President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba Ulises Rosales and in a cordial atmosphere they highlighted the good state of relations.

Both visitors thanked the Cuban Government for its solidarity and cooperation and reaffirmed their support for Cuba in the fight for lifting the economic, commercial and financial blockade set up by the United States against Cuba more than 55 years ago.