TEHRAN -- The recent visit of Iranian First Vice President Hassan Habibi to Cuba was a very positive step toward strengthening bilateral relations between Tehran and Havana, the Political Counsellor of the Cuban Embassy in Tehran said here Speaking to reporters on the 20th anniversary of the inauguration of full diplomatic relations between the Republic of Cuba and the Islamic Republic of Iran, Fernando N. Garcia went on to say that during a meeting between the Iranian official and the Cub "At the same time, various accords of understanding were signed for widening bilateral trade and opening up new areas of cooperation," he added.

Elaborating, Garcia, also temporal charge d'affaires of the Cuban Embassy, said that presently Cuba is studying sugar trade with the Islamic Republic of Iran and after this stage Cuba's trade with Iran will enter a new phase. Touching on Iran-Cuba cooperation, Garcia said that the two sides cooperate in biotechnology and in establishing scientific research centers, share their experience in the pharmaceutical area.

"In sports, a team of Cuban sports experts and coaches are training Iranian athletes," the counsellor added. "On the whole trade between Iran and Cuba during the past 3-4 years has amounted to 30 million dollars," Garcia explained.