Cuba Is an Ally for Multilateralism, UN Assembly President says

The President of the United Nations General Assembly, Ecuadorean Maria Fernanda Espinosa, met with the Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez on Thursday as part of her three-day visit to the island.

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"My presence here seeks to further strengthen the UN's ties with Cuba... it is also a recognition of the fundamental role that Cuba has played in strengthening the multilateral system," she said and added that "Cuba is an essential and strategic ally... in a complicated moment, which generates a great challenge for building world's peace and a fairer, more equitable and democratic multipolar order."

Espinosa was received by Minister Rodriguez at the headquarters of the Foreign Ministry in a meeting where both sides confirmed their willingness to continue cooperation.

Espinosa arrived in Havana on Wednesday afternoon from Mexico, where she was received by President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador (AMLO) and Foreign Affairs minister Marcelo Ebrard.

“The Cuban achievements related to gender equality and women’s empowerment were presented at the meeting between the President of the United Nations General Assembly and the Secretary of the Cuban Women Federation Teresa Boue.”

The former Chancellor of Ecuador will offer a keynote address at the Higher Institute of International Relations and attend meetings with the Cuban Women Federation and representatives of the U.N. system. So far it has not been confirmed if she will meet Cuba’s President Miguel Diaz-Canel.

Espinosa's visit comes amid a wave of renewed tensions in the U.S.-Cuban relations. Every year since 1992, however, the UN General Assembly has approved, almost unanimously, an official resolution which condemns and calls for an end to the U.S.-six decade-long blockade.

"Being a very special friend from Cuba, we want your stay to be as productive and pleasant as possible," Rodriguez said and confirmed that Cuba "will continue working for a more just, democratic and equitable international order, which is based on multilateralism, cooperation and dialogue."