Havana, December 15 (RHC-PL)-- Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis delivered an address yesterday afternoon in Havana at the auditorium of the Colegio San Jerónimo de La Habana, the Academy of History of Cuba.

The visiting Costa Rican head of state said that one of the main objectives of his two-day official visit to the island was to strengthen relations with Cuba.

Dr. Eduardo Torres Cuevas, head of the academic institution, presented the Costa Rican president with the Corresponding Foreign Academic degree, awarded to scholars who despite being neither a Cuban national or resident, have made important contributions to the island’s history.

In his speech, entitled ‘The Historic Relations Between Costa Rica and Cuba,’ the Costa Rican leader highlighted Fidel Castro’s visit to his country in 1965 in order to foment support for the revolutionary movement; as well as that of Cuba’s national hero, José Martí and the Bronze Titan Antonio Maceo in the 19th century.

The activity was presided over by Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, First Vice President of the Councils of State and Ministers; Gustavo Cobreiro, Rector of the University of Havana; and Eusebio Leal, Havana City Historian.

On Monday, President Solis visited the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. And he holds official talks with his Cuban counterpart, Raul Castro, before wrapping up his visit to the island on Tuesday.