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Cuba visit: Philip Hammond says he is 'keen to forge new links' Philip Hammond 'keen to forge new links' with Cuba
(about 4 hours later)
Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond said he was keen to "forge new links across the Atlantic" as he arrived in Cuba for a historic visit. Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond has said he is keen to "forge new links across the Atlantic" as he arrived in Cuba for a historic visit.
Mr Hammond's arrival makes him the first UK foreign secretary to visit since the years before the Caribbean country's communist revolution of 1959. Mr Hammond's arrival makes him the first UK foreign secretary to visit since before the Caribbean country's communist revolution of 1959.
He said the UK was set to reach new "co-operation agreements" on energy, education and culture with Cuba. He said there would be new "co-operation agreements" on energy, finance, education and culture.
Mr Hammond's visit follows one by US President Barack Obama last month. Mr Hammond's two-day visit follows one by US President Barack Obama in March.
The foreign secretary is due to take part in a series of meetings to discuss social and economic changes, human rights and the fight against global health threats such as the Zika virus. As with all visiting dignitaries, his first stop was to Revolution Square in Havana to lay a wreath to the island's independence hero Jose Marti.
'Opportunity' He then held talks with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.
The foreign secretary is taking part in a series of meetings to discuss social and economic changes, human rights and the fight against global health threats such as the Zika virus.
'New links'
He will also sign a bilateral agreement restructuring Cuba's debt to the UK.He will also sign a bilateral agreement restructuring Cuba's debt to the UK.
"Britain and Cuba have outlooks on the world and systems of government that are very different," Mr Hammond said as he arrived in the capital Havana."Britain and Cuba have outlooks on the world and systems of government that are very different," Mr Hammond said as he arrived in the capital Havana.
"But as Cuba enters a period of significant social and economic change, I am looking forward to demonstrating to the Cuban government and people that the UK is keen to forge new links across the Atlantic. "But as Cuba enters a period of significant social and economic change, I am looking forward to demonstrating to the Cuban government and people that the UK is keen to forge new links across the Atlantic."
"That is why Cuba and the UK are set to reach new cooperation agreements on energy, financial services, education and culture, to the benefit of both our nations. The British embassy in Havana has held arts and music events in Cuba in recent years.
"As the first British foreign secretary to visit Cuba since before the Cuban Revolution in 1959, this is an opportunity to hear for myself what Cuba thinks about its present challenges and where it sees its future." But the BBC's Mexico and Central America correspondent, Will Grant says increased trade is the main focus of the visit, with UK businesses looking to build links with Cuba's tourism, agriculture and financial services industries.
Last year, British exports to Cuba soared by 25%. According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the top items exported to the country are: Last year, British exports to Cuba soared by 25%. According to the Department of Trade and Industry, the top items exported to the country include dairy produce, boilers, machinery, paper products, pharmaceutical products, drinks and vinegar.
In March Barack Obama became the first US president since 1928 to visit Cuba. Last month Mr Obama became the first US president since 1928 to visit Cuba.
For years, the US and Cuba were engaged in a bitter stand-off, triggered by the overthrow of US-backed Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista by Communist leader Fidel Castro in 1959.For years, the US and Cuba were engaged in a bitter stand-off, triggered by the overthrow of US-backed Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista by Communist leader Fidel Castro in 1959.
The US broke off diplomatic relations and imposed a trade embargo.The US broke off diplomatic relations and imposed a trade embargo.