Havana, July 9 (RHC) -– Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas expressed in Havana his country's keenness to strengthen cooperation with Cuba and stressed the opportunities for commercial exchange in the areas of agriculture and science.

The Ecuadorian senior official made the remarks upon his arrival in Cuba for a two-day official visit. He was welcomed at Havana's Jose Marti International Airport by Deputy Foreign Minister Ana Teresita Gonzalez.

Vice President Glas will hold working meetings with Cuban officials and tour several research centers. Glas is also scheduled to finalize an agreement for the construction in Ecuador of a manufacture plant of agricultural bio-inputs with Cuban assistance.

With this manufacturing plant, the country hopes to replace agricultural chemicals for bio-inputs, which cost less and are made from fungi and microorganisms.

Glas also reiterated Ecuador's strong rejection of the economic blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba and said it violates basic human rights and international law.

Cuba and Ecuador established diplomatic relations on April 24, 1903 and after being broken in 1962, such links were re-established on August 23, 1979.