Havana, November 12 (RHC)– Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel met on Sunday with his Laotian counterpart, Bounnhang Vorachith, in Vientiane to sign cooperation agreements in the fields of economy and sports.

A ceremony at the Ho Kham presidential palace was held to welcome Diaz-Canel on his official visit to the Asian country, after which he met with Vorachith and Laos Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.

This is the first official visit ever by a Cuban head of State to Laos.

The two countries signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between their respective central banks, according to the Cuban foreign ministry.

An agreement on sports cooperation was also signed between the two nations.

During his meeting with Diaz-Canel, Sisoulith underlined Cuba’s position as a friendly nation, and how the president’s visit would help strengthen bilateral relations. The Cuban president conveyed a message of solidarity and friendship on behalf of the Cuban people, the Communist Party and the Government.

This is Diaz-Canel’s second visit to Laos, after one in 2013 when he was vice president.

Laos is the final stop on Diaz-Canel’s first international tour, which included visits to Russia, China, North Korea and Vietnam.