Santiago de Cuba, March 27 (RHC) —Canadian ambassador to Cuba Yves Gagnon stressed in eastern Santiago de Cuba city current bilateral relations between Ottawa and Havana, which he said are favored by joint university project and an increasing number of Canadian visitors every year.

Gagnon expressed his interest in learning more about Cuban reality and the social and economic transformations underway on the island, as well as historic and cultural events that have taken place in Santiago through the years.

The Canadian diplomat paid homage to Independence Hero Antonio Maceo and visited a sugar plant in the Contramaestre municipality, as well as the Shrine of the Virgin of Charity of El Cobre, Cuba´s Patron Saint.

During a tour of the University of Oriente, in Santiago, Gagnon learned about the performance of the Department for Canadian Studies, which promotes postgraduate courses and other academic training.

Canadian students from the University of Alberta travel to Santiago every year for courses on Spanish Language, Marine Biology, Cuban History and other issues of interest.