Cuba, Japan poised for closer ties

TOKYO, Feb 24 -- (AFP) -- Japan's Prime Minister Keizo Obuchi on Wednesday agreed with visiting Cuban Foreign Minister Roberto Robaina to make efforts to enhance ties, a foreign ministry official said.

``I hope the two countries exchange opinions frankly based on mutual respect,'' the official quoted Obuchi as telling Robaina.

Obuchi voiced hopes of promoting ties through a framework for political dialogue although there are some issues ``on which the two nations have different opinions.''

He was believed to be referring to human rights conditions in Cuba.

Robaina gave Obuchi two letters from Cuban President Fidel Castro, who wrote he was happy with ``good relations'' between the two countries, the official said.

He invited Obuchi to visit Cuba, the official said.

Robaina, the first Cuban leader to make an official visit to Japan since 1983, arrived here on Monday. He will leave for Beijing on Saturday.