Quito, January 23 (RHC)-- Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa on Wednesday described as extraordinarily cooperative his country's relations with Cuba.

In statements to local media, Correa highlighted the presence of Cuban doctors in Ecuador as a major step forward in relations between both Latin American countries.

The head of state also emphasized the medical scholarships offered by the Cuban government for young Ecuadorians to attend the Latin American School of Medicine, in Havana.

The Ecuadorian president said that thanks to this agreement, poor youth of his country can study medicine. Correa also mentioned that after waiting so long for the revamping of the domestic pharmaceutical industry, "we have been able to create a public industry and network with the support of Cuba, obtaining very good results."

He also noted that after so many selfless gestures on the side of Cuba, his government decided to reciprocate by sending a corps of army engineers and soldiers to help rebuild the province of Santiago de Cuba, which was seriously damaged by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.

“Relations with Cuba have reached an unprecedented point and there is much empathy between our two governments,” said the Ecuadorian president, who also confirmed his attendance at the upcoming Summit of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States in Havana next week.