Avellon Williams
CUBA- On Tuesday, Iranian and Cuban officials met in Tehran for a meeting of the Iran-Cuba Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs of Iran, Ehsan Khandouzi, hosted a Cuban delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas. In his speech, Khandouzi called for greater economic cooperation between Iran and the United States, especially in the health and agricultural fields.
As part of the negotiations, Cabrisas also asked for “expertise and technology” from Iranian companies to help Cuba address its food security concerns caused by the war in Ukraine, according to the agency.
Although Ukraine is not a major trade partner of Cuba, the Russian invasion has greatly increased Cuba’s import costs. Cuba, however, also faced food shortages last year – long before the Ukraine war began.
Several Cuban trade and industry officials, as well as foreign relations officials, arrived in Tehran last week, according to Granma, the news outlet of the Cuban Community Party.
Why it matters: Iran and Cuba are close allies largely because of their animosity toward the United States, which imposes heavy sanctions on both nations.
During their fight against COVID-19, the two nations have collaborated particularly closely. Together, Iranian and Cuban scientists developed the Pasteur vaccine. Also last year, Cuba sent doses of its Soberana vaccine to Iran.
Iran and Cuba have met 18 times in the Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation, according to the Islamic Republic News Agency.
Know more: A greater economic relationship between Cuba and the United Arab Emirates is also on the table. In February, the Abu Dhabi and Cuban chambers of commerce met at Expo 2020 Dubai.
