CUBA: Saudi Arabia opens its first embassy in Havana

Record ID: 189128

  • Title: CUBA: Saudi Arabia opens its first embassy in Havana
  • Date: 27th February 2013
  • Summary: HAVANA, CUBA (FEBRUARY 26, 2013) (REUTERS) VARIOUS EXTERIORS OF NEW EMBASSY OF SAUDI ARABIA, INCLUDING SAUDI FLAG AND PLAQUE PRINCE KHALID BIN SAUD BIN KHALID, ASSISTANT MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS FOR SAUDI ARABIA, ARRIVING TO THE EMBASSY PRINCE KHALID BIN SAUD BIN KHALID AND CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER BRUNO RODRIGUEZ CUTTING THE RIBBON TO OPEN THE EMBASSY PRINCE KHALID BIN SAUD BIN KHALID SPEAKING AT INAUGURATION (SOUNDBITE) (Arabic) SAUDI ARABIAN ASSISTANT MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS, PRINCE KHALID BIN SAUD BIN KHALID, SAYING: "The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Cuba contributes to the development of the kingdom and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. We hope that this visit gives continuity to the successes already obtained in the consolidation of relations as well as the establishment of wider spheres of cooperation between both countries as the level of coordination and the signs of commercial and economic exchange between both countries rise." VARIOUS OF RODRIGUEZ SIGNING VISITORS' BOOK (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CUBAN FOREIGN MINISTER BRUNO RODRIGUEZ SAYING: "This is an historic moment, the inauguration of the embassy of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia which opens a promising phase in the development of friendship and cooperation between both our countries." PHOTO OF MOSQUE VARIOUS POST-INAUGURATION RECEPTION, INCLUDING FIDEL CASTRO DIAZ-BALART (SON OF FORMER CUBAN LEADER FIDEL CASTRO)
  • Embargoed: 14th March 2013 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Cuba
  • Country: Cuba
  • Reuters ID: LVA7Y9L2RKS32Z0813CWAUMODZCM
  • Story Text: Officials from Cuba and Saudi Arabia inaugurated on Tuesday (February 26) the embassy of Saudi Arabia, establishing for the first time permanent headquarters for the Middle Eastern country's diplomatic presence on the island.
    Prince Khalid bin Saud bin Khalid al-Saud, Saudi Arabia's Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, joined Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
    The Saudi prince said the embassy would help strengthen relations between the two countries.
    "The relationship between Saudi Arabia and Cuba contributes to the development of the kingdom and the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. We hope that this visit gives continuity to the successes already obtained in the consolidation of relations as well as the establishment of wider spheres of cooperation between both countries as the level of coordination and the signs of commercial and economic exchange between both countries rise," he said.
    Meanwhile, Rodriguez signed the embassy's visitors' book.
    "This is an historic moment, the inauguration of the embassy of the kingdom of Saudi Arabia which opens a promising phase in the development of friendship and cooperation between both our countries," Rodriguez said.
    Prince Khalid bin Saud will wrap up his trip on Thursday (February 27). His visit included meetings with other Cuban officials to discuss additional bilateral issues.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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