Britain Keen To Forge 'New Links' With Cuba
Philip Hammond is expected to raise human rights as he becomes the first Foreign Secretary to visit since the 1959 revolution.
Mr Hammond next to an image of revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara
Philip Hammond has said Britain is keen to forge "new links" with Cuba - as he became the first Foreign Secretary to visit the island since before the 1959 revolution.
Mr Hammond's trip follows Barack Obama's historic visit last month, which was intended to normalise US-Cuba relations after decades of hostility.
The Foreign Secretary is holding meetings to discuss social and economic change in the Caribbean nation, human rights and global health threats such as the Zika virus.
Mr Hammond shakes hands with Cuba's Culture Minister Julian Gonzalez
He is also expected to sign an agreement restructuring Cuba's debt to the UK, as well as agreeing future cooperation on financial services, energy, culture and education.
Mr Hammond's first stop after arriving was Revolution Square in Havana, where he laid a wreath to Cuban independence hero Jose Marti.
He also held talks with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.
Mr Hammond said: "Britain and Cuba have outlooks on the world and systems of government that are very different.
"But as Cuba enters a period of significant social and economic change, I am looking forward to demonstrating to the Cuban government and people that the UK is keen to forge new links across the Atlantic.
"That is why Cuba and the UK are set to reach new cooperation agreements on energy, financial services, education and culture, to the benefit of both our nations.
"As the first British Foreign Secretary to visit Cuba since before the Cuban Revolution in 1959, this is an opportunity to hear for myself what Cuba thinks about its present challenges and where it sees its future."
Mr Hammond next to an image of revolutionary Ernesto "Che" Guevara
Philip Hammond has said Britain is keen to forge "new links" with Cuba - as he became the first Foreign Secretary to visit the island since before the 1959 revolution.
Mr Hammond's trip follows Barack Obama's historic visit last month, which was intended to normalise US-Cuba relations after decades of hostility.
The Foreign Secretary is holding meetings to discuss social and economic change in the Caribbean nation, human rights and global health threats such as the Zika virus.
Mr Hammond shakes hands with Cuba's Culture Minister Julian Gonzalez
He is also expected to sign an agreement restructuring Cuba's debt to the UK, as well as agreeing future cooperation on financial services, energy, culture and education.
Mr Hammond's first stop after arriving was Revolution Square in Havana, where he laid a wreath to Cuban independence hero Jose Marti.
He also held talks with his Cuban counterpart, Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.
Mr Hammond said: "Britain and Cuba have outlooks on the world and systems of government that are very different.
"But as Cuba enters a period of significant social and economic change, I am looking forward to demonstrating to the Cuban government and people that the UK is keen to forge new links across the Atlantic.
"That is why Cuba and the UK are set to reach new cooperation agreements on energy, financial services, education and culture, to the benefit of both our nations.
"As the first British Foreign Secretary to visit Cuba since before the Cuban Revolution in 1959, this is an opportunity to hear for myself what Cuba thinks about its present challenges and where it sees its future."
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