ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT AND CUBAN LEADERS DISCUSS SOUTH-SOUTH COOPERATION

Boosting so-called South-South cooperation, or collaboration among developing countries, topped discussions between General Assembly President Ali Treki and senior Cuban officials as the head of the 192-member body today wrapped up a three-day visit to the Caribbean island nation.

During the visit, Mr. Treki and José Ramón Machado Ventura, Cuba's First Vice-President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers, also discussed the importance of dialogue and collaboration in addressing bilateral issues.

The Vice-President expressed Cuba's support for Mr. Treki's work, according to a statement released today, especially regarding the need to strengthen the role and authority of the General Assembly.

The situation in the Middle East and progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) amid a global financial downturn were raised in a meeting with Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla, Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs.

A high-level summit will be held in September in New York on plans to accelerate efforts to achieve the eight development goals before the 2015 deadline.

Mr. Treki also met with other senior officials, including the President of the National Assembly Ricardo Alarcon, and the Minister for Foreign Trade and Investment Rodrigo Malmierca.

Mr. Treki heads today to Ecuador, to continue his multi-country visit to Latin America and the Caribbean. He has already visited Venezuela.

Accra / Ghana/ Africa / Modernghana.com