Havana, May 25 (RHC) Africa Day pays tribute to the foundation of the Organization of African Unity on May 25, 1963. The regional block became the African Union (AU) in 2002 

The celebration in Cuba took place Friday at the Foreign Ministry headquarters, with the presence of Esteban Lazo Hernandez, the president of the Cuban Parliament.

“Cubans will always cherish the innumerable demonstrations of friendship, solidarity and support we have received from the African countries. We will never forget the glorious pages that Cubans and Africans have written together in order to make the dreams of the founding fathers of our nations come true” Anayansi Rodriguez, vice minister of foreign affairs said.

Ambassadors and other members of the diplomatic corps were on hand for the occasion.

Ambassador Mohamed Hisham Gamaleldin, from Egypt, the country that currentlychairs the AU, recalled Cuba’s role in Africa and the close ties that bind the island with the continent.