Havana, September 20 (RHC)-- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani held separate meetings on Monday afternoon here in Havana with Cuban President Raúl Castro and Revolution leader Fidel Castro. 

In a cordial atmosphere, the Cuban head of state and his Iranian counterpart reviewed the state of bilateral relations, and reaffirmed both their governments' willingness to further advance cooperation ties in several areas of mutual interest. The two heads of state also addressed regional and international issues.

Presidents Raúl and Rouhani presided over the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Health and Medical Education of the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Ministry of Public Health of Cuba. The document, providing for cooperation in the areas of health, research, education, pharmaceuticals and health technology, was signed by Health Ministers Roberto Morales Ojeda of Cuba and Seyed Hasan Ghazizadeh Hashemi of Iran. 

Other documents signed during the Iranian president’s visit included cooperation agreements in such areas as biomedicine, bio-agriculture, development, research and veterinary medicine, as well an inter-bank memorandum of understanding and a Letter of Intent for the joint production of vaccines.

President Rouhani also met Monday with Revolution leader Fidel Castro. A Cuban government statement said that the two leaders analyzed the complex international situation, and emphasized the importance of food production in a world threatened by climate change and population growth. 

They also discussed the role of governments and peoples, particularly the younger generations in bringing about political, economic and social changes.

The distinguished visitor took the opportunity to express his satisfaction with this visit to Cuba, and reaffirmed his admiration of the country's struggle, accomplishments, and selfless assistance to other nations and peoples in need.

The Iranian leader is paying a state visit to Cuba, after participating in the 17th Non-Aligned Movement Summit in Venezuela during which he handed over the group's rotating presidency to President Nicolás Maduro.