President Mahmoud Abbas and Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel during their meeting in Havana. (WAFA Images / Thayer Ghanayem) 

HAVANA, May 12, 2018 (WAFA) – President Mahmoud Abbas held official talks on Friday with his Cuban counterpart, Miguel Diaz-Canel, at the presidential palace in Havana after arriving in Cuba on the third leg of his visit of South American countries.

The two leaders discussed political developments in Palestine and the Middle East as well issues of mutual concern and developing bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of investment, tourism and agriculture.

Abbas thanked the Cuban leader for his country’s support for the Palestinian people and cause as well as providing scholarships for Palestinian students studying medicine and engineering.

Diaz-Canel reasserted his country’s support for the Palestinian cause and announced an increase in the number of scholarships to Palestinian students to 200 over the next four years.

President Abbas took this opportunity to bestow on the late Cuban leader, Fidel Castro, and the outgoing president, Raul Castro, Palestine’s highest medal in appreciation for their support for Palestine and its struggle for independence.

Abbas arrived in Cuba coming from Chile, which visited after Venezuela.

M.K.