President of Angola Begins Official Visit to Cuba

Official sources have reportedly announced that President Joao Lourenco of Angola is beginning an official visit to Cuba this Sunday with the aim of strengthening bilateral cooperation and friendly relations between the two nations. The visit program announced by the Angolan presidency begins on Monday, July 1, with a tribute to the country''s founding father and President, Agostinho Neto, at the Park of African Founders in Havana. Lourenco will also pay tribute to the Cuban combatants killed in Angola and will give a master lecture at the University of Havana.

He is also scheduled to meet with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel and sign several agreements in various sectors.

According to information from the Civil House, the African statesman will visit the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, a world reference in research for vaccines against cancer and others.

He will also visit the Mariel Special Development Zone, some 60 kilometers west of Havana, and meet Angolan students in Cuba.

Cuba and Angola have been working together for 40 years in sectors such as health, construction, education, science and technology, agriculture, defense and others.

Official figures show that more than 800 Cuban health specialists and 1,137 education workers are working in Angola. Currently, 2,180 Angolan students are being trained in Cuba, and so far, tha Caribbean nation has graduated 7,995 Angolan professionals.