September 22, 1999


Russian foreign minister to visit Cuba Sept 27-29

MOSCOW, Sept 22 (Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, on a foreign tour which took him to the United Nations General Assembly this week, is due to visit Cuba on September 27-29, the ministry said on Wednesday.

``The upcoming talks (in Cuba)...envisage an exchange of opinions on issues of bilateral relations, the situation in Latin America, a wide range of international problems, prospects for future cooperation,'' the ministry said in a statement.

``The upcoming visit is an important event in the context of traditionally friendly Russo-Cuban relations,'' it said.

Havana's special relationship with Moscow, which included a steady flow of financial aid from the Kremlin, came to an abrupt end with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991.

Since then Cuba has sought to rebuild its ties with Russia, which remains a major trading partner.

Ivanov's two-week trip, besides New York, has included visits to Iceland and Canada. He is also expected to visit Belgium.

10:36 09-22-99

Copyright 1999 Reuters Limited

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