Havana, February 5 (RHC)-- Benoit Standaert, Belgium’s consul to Cuba, praised the good state of relations between his country and the Caribbean nation, based on respect to diversity, dialogue and scientific research and technical cooperation.

At the University of Oriente, the diplomat along with a delegation of his country, inaugurated cooperation programs between the Flemish Inter-university Council (VLIR) and Cuban universities, which had been working since 2011 as a symbol of friendship.

Peter De Lannoy, coordinator South VLIR, announced, with the UO, eight 12-year projects for local development in the eastern region and a funding of eight million Euros, which will favor environmental services, sustainable agriculture and the struggle against climate change.

On February 10th, they will present in Havana the project “Strengthening of the Role of Information and Communication Techniques (TIC) at Universities for the Development of Society,” which includes five higher education centers.