Havana, April 30 (RHC) – Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs, Fumio Kishida, ratified his country's desire to deepen diplomatic, trade and cooperation ties with Cuba, Granma newspaper reports.

Kishida made the remarks as he kicked off an official visit to Cuba, the first ever by a Japanese foreign minister.

In statements to Granma, the government official also hailed the ongoing talks to reestablish relations between the United States and Cuba, expressing his hope this process will contribute to a greater stability and economic development in the Americas.

Kishida also recalled the 1995 visit of Cuban Revolution leader Fidel Castro to the Peace Memorial in the Japanese city of Hiroshima.