Cuba is keen on strengthening the bilateral cooperation with Rwanda in the areas of health and education, the Cuban envoy to Rwanda has said. Amb. Javier Viamontes Correa made the remarks during a courtesy call on Speaker Donatille Mukabalisa at the Parliamentary Buildings, Kimihurura.Amb. Correa’s call on the speaker was part of his two-day visit to Rwanda aimed at, among others, gathering support for his country’s fight against economic blockade dating as far back as 1962.“There is a scholarship programmme for Rwandans and we have a group of Rwandans already studying medicine in Cuba,” Correa said on Friday, noting that there are currently about seven Rwandan medical students in Cuba. “After five years, they will return as doctors to work in Rwanda.” In May, 2011, after presenting his Letters of Accreditation to President Paul Kagame, Correa told reporters that he will embark on promoting Rwanda-Cuba co-operation in health and education. At the time, he stated that 30 Cuban doctors had just served up their contracts in Rwanda and that the two countries were working on a new agreement to continue the programme.Rwanda support The Cuban diplomat, who has permanent residence in Kampala, emphasised that Cuba as well gains much in terms of “friendship and solidarity” as it seeks Rwanda’s support in areas of international diplomacy, especially at the United Nations.Cuba wants the United Nations to lift the trade embargo mainly championed by the United States, but the Caribbean nation also seeks to have a seat on the United Nations Council on Human Rights. “We presented our candidature to the human rights council. Elections are going to take place, and Rwanda is going to help us with a vote to become a member of the Council, for two years,” Correa said.Currently, Rwanda is a non permanent member of the Security Council.
