Hernandez: Cuba principled about Serbia's integrity

BELGRADE - Cuba maintains a principled position on the defence of Serbia's right to preserve its territorial integrity and sovereignty, Cuban National Assembly Speaker Juan Esteban Lazo Hernandez said after a meeting with Serbian Parliament Speaker Maja Gojkovic on Monday.

My visit to Serbia is taking place with a firm intent to continue the political dialogue at the highest level and contribute to enhancing ties and cooperation, Hernandez told a joint press conference with Gojkovic.

He thanked Serbia for its support for a lifting of the US embargo against Cuba, adding that, 73 years after the establishment of diplomatic ties, Cuban-Serbian relations were developing increasingly.

Hernandez's visit to Serbia is historic because it is the first by a Cuban assembly speaker, Gojkovic said, adding that an agreement on cooperation between the two parliaments - which she signed with Hernandez five months ago - was the first such agreement the Serbian parliament had with a Latin American country.

Gojkovic said they discussed the traditionally friendly bilateral relations and that Serbia was grateful for Cuba's respect for its sovereignty and integrity.

"We are particularly grateful for Cuba's position in the vote on Kosovo's UNESCO membership," she noted.