Havana, November 26 (RHC) -– José Manuel García-Margallo y Marfil, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain, praised the relationship of his country with Cuba, saying that the Iberian nation is Cuba's third largest trading partner and its number one investor from the European bloc.

Addressing diplomatic affairs, Margallo explained that through the implementation of the Spanish Historical Memory Law, with the support of the government of Cuba, the island has become the second country in Latin America with the largest number of Spanish residents.

Given these circumstances, the Spanish diplomat called for the opening of a second Spanish consulate in the eastern city of Santiago de Cuba, as well as a new consulate in Havana.

Moreover, he recalled the position of the European Union against the economic blockade imposed by the United States on Cuba, which was reiterated this year at the United Nations' General Assembly, and referred to the damage resulting from this hostile policy for Cuba.

On the ongoing crisis with the Ebola virus in West Africa, the Spanish foreign minister said the two governments seek to work together to combat this epidemic, which he described as a global challenge. In this regard, he acknowledged the commendable work of Cuba.

In another point, the Spanish Foreign Minister acknowledged the important and constructive role of Cuba in finding a solution to the Colombian military conflict for over 50 years.

García-Margallo said his trip to the island is part of the normalization of bilateral relations between the EU and Cuba, as well as a Spanish drive to strengthen relations with the community of Latin American countries.