Rome, June 17 (RHC)-- Malta's Foreign Minister, Evarist Bartolo, acknowledged Cuba's contribution to the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by sending medical brigades to dozens of countries, including Europe, as in the case of Italy.

Through a video conference, the concurrent ambassador of the Caribbean island in that country, José Carlos Rodríguez and the Maltese head of Foreign and European Affairs, held a working meeting in which they ratified their joint desire to give greater content to bilateral ties.

During the exchange, according to a press release from the diplomatic headquarters in Rome, Rodriguez explained to Bartolo that Cuba's solidarity aid to other nations constitutes a concrete contribution to a global challenge that affects millions of human beings, without distinction of borders.

"It is a duty, a practice and principles of international medical cooperation that Cuba has been offering for almost 60 years to dozens of countries on all continents."

He also mentioned the contribution of the use of innovative medicines produced by the Cuban biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry to the effective fight against the contagious disease in his country.

The talks, in line with the text, revolved around the mutual willingness to give greater content to bilateral links and exchanged ideas on specific sectors that could be of mutual interest and in which some steps have been taken, such as the biopharmaceutical industry, health and culture.

Bartolo and Rodriguez also ratified the attachment of their respective countries' foreign policies to the principles of international law and respect for the sovereignty and right of each people to democratically determine their own destiny.