Abuja, March 19 (RHC) – The Foreign Ministers of Nigeria and Cuba, Viola Onwuliri and Bruno Rodriguez, respectively, pledged to work towards expanding economic and trade cooperation to attract tangible benefits to both countries.

The two ministers were speaking in Abuja at a reception organized by Nigeria’s foreign ministry for the visiting Cuban minister who concluded his four-day official visit to that African country on Tuesday.

Onwuliri said that economic cooperation was “heartening’’ given the socio-economic reforms taking place simultaneously in both countries.

She suggested that priority should be given to cooperation in the areas of medicine, pharmacy and education.

In his remarks, Rodriguez pointed to Nigeria and Cuba’s shared cultural and historical ties, noting that 80% of Cuba’s troops at independence were slaves and descendants of slaves from Africa.

He said he was honored to meet President Goodluck Jonathan on Monday, when he extended President Raul Castro’s best regards and an invitation for President Jonathan to visit Havana.

“I believe the visit will be a landmark in our common goals, challenges and excellent bilateral relations,” Foreign Minister Rodriguez said.

He thanked Nigeria for showing solidarity with Cuba over the past five decades and commended the country for promoting peace and security in Africa and the globe.