Havana, December 5 (RHC) -- The prime minister of Barbados, Freundel Stuart, will travel next week to Cuba for a meeting with President Raul Castro to reflect on 42 years of bilateral diplomatic relations.

Stuart will also attend the 5th Caribbean Community-Cuba Summit in Havana, the Barbadian government said in a statement.

"We will examine past cooperation, explore potential new areas of support and reaffirm the principles sustaining the relationship," Stuart said of his upcoming discussions with Raul Castro.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations on December 8, 1972, Barbados and Cuba have signed 11 bilateral agreements.

Officials in Barbados say the island has benefited significantly from Cuba's technical assistance, particularly in the areas of health care, sports, education, culture and youth development.