Valletta, June 15 (RHC)-- Malta and Cuba have agreed on the need to broaden and deepen their relations beyond the political, diplomatic and economic spheres.

Mutual willingness to move towards new horizons in ties between the two nations was the central theme of the talks held by José Carlos Rodríguez, Cuba's new ambassador to Malta, with its president, Marie Louise Coleiro Preca, to whom he gave his credential letter.

During the cordial exchange, both parties valued positively the level of political and friendship ties that exist between the two countries for more than four decades, and agreed to undertake new initiatives.

They agreed on the need to take concrete steps to strengthen ties in all fields, including ones such as culture and public health, which contribute to a better knowledge and understanding among peoples.

Rodriguez thanked the president for Malta's support every year for the resolution of the UN General Assembly in favor of the cessation of the economic, commercial and financial blockade of the United States against Cuba, and Malta's role in the construction of better relations between the European Union and the Island.

During her speech to the new ambassadors, among whom also were those of Spain, Guatemala and Lebanon, the head of state said that Malta will continue to provide its full support to the elimination of the US blockade and contributing to the expansion of relations of the EU with the Caribbean nation.

She also received the proposal of the Cuban ambassador to promote an active collaboration between Havana and Valletta, whose historic centers were declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.